Spirits facts & stats

Question 1

Tequila is made from which plant?

Accepted Answer

Blue agave. Tequila is made from the heart of the blue agave plant, grown mainly in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Question 2

Gin gets its defining flavor from which berries?

Accepted Answer

Juniper berries. By definition gin is flavored predominantly with juniper; the name comes from the Dutch 'jenever'.

Question 3

In the United States, a spirit labeled '80 proof' contains what percent alcohol by volume?

Accepted Answer

40%. US proof is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume, so 80 proof means 40% ABV.

Question 4

The word 'whisky' comes from a Gaelic phrase meaning what?

Accepted Answer

Water of life. Whisky comes from Gaelic 'uisge beatha' (Scottish) or 'uisce beatha' (Irish), meaning water of life.

Question 5

Brandy is made by distilling what?

Accepted Answer

Wine or other fermented fruit juice. Brandy is distilled from wine or fermented fruit; its name comes from Dutch 'brandewijn', meaning burnt wine.

Question 6

By law, Scotch whisky must be aged in oak casks in Scotland for at least how long?

Accepted Answer

3 years. Scotch whisky must mature in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years.

Question 7

Aeneas Coffey patented an improved design of which type of still in 1830?

Accepted Answer

Column still. The Coffey still, a continuous column still, made spirit production faster and more efficient than pot stills.

The basics