Category: Distilled spirits

By law, bourbon cannot have any added sugars or flavorings, a rule that applies directly to Maker's Mark. This means that the rich, sweet notes of caramel and vanilla you taste are not the result of sugar being added to the finished product, but are developed naturally during production.

According to its manufacturer, Nevada H&C Distilling Co., Silver Dollar vodka is made from 100% corn, which is a naturally gluten-free ingredient. This makes it a safe and worry-free choice for consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, confirming its gluten-free status.

Contrary to assumptions about many alcoholic beverages, pure, unmixed gin is often considered one of the least acidic liquors, with some experts citing a pH level close to neutral. This places it far lower on the acidity scale than many popular drinks like wine or beer.

The strongest commercially available alcoholic drink has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 96%, with Polish vodka Spirytus holding the top spot. This incredible potency is achieved through a highly refined distillation process, creating a spirit far more concentrated than typical vodka or whiskey.

Over 50% of tequila factories still use wild yeasts, at least partially, for fermentation. While yeast is absolutely essential during tequila production, the finished, distilled spirit does not contain live yeast, contrary to what some might assume.

The earliest chemically confirmed barley beer was discovered on pottery dating back over 5,000 years, a beverage vastly different from modern spirits. So, is beer considered a hard liquor? The simple answer lies in the distinct production methods and alcohol concentrations of each.

Back in the 16th century, British sailors used a gunpowder test to determine if their rum had been watered down, a practice that eventually gave rise to the term "proof". This historical origin is key to understanding how is the proof of an alcoholic drink defined, a measurement that now primarily relates to its alcohol by volume (ABV) in modern contexts.

The alcohol by volume (ABV) of Vietnamese rice wine can range dramatically, with some popular distilled types exceeding 40% ABV. Unlike Western grape wine, which has a relatively narrow ABV range, Vietnamese rice wine, or rượu, varies significantly based on its production method—whether it is a simple fermentation or a multi-stage distillation. This variance can lead to vastly different drinking experiences, from a mild, sweet ferment to a powerful spirit.

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage, and all alcoholic drinks contain ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol. It is the result of yeast converting the sugars from the blue agave plant into alcohol during the fermentation process.

While gin is often made from a base that originates from starchy sources like grains or potatoes, the crucial process of distillation completely removes all starches and carbohydrates, resulting in a pure, starch-free spirit. This is welcome news for anyone tracking their carb intake or following a low-carb diet.