Spirits

Spirits are alcoholic beverages made by distilling fermented grains, fruits, or vegetables. They have a higher alcohol content than beers and wines.

The main categories of spirits include:

• Vodka - Made from fermented grains or potatoes. Vodka is usually neutral in flavor. Popular brands include Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Absolut.
• Rum - Made from fermented and distilled sugarcane. Dark rum is aged in oak barrels while white rum is not aged. Popular brands include Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Malibu.
• Tequila - Made from the blue agave plant. Blanco tequila is unaged while reposado and añejo are aged. Popular brands include Jose Cuervo, Patrón, Don Julio.
• Whiskey - Made from fermented grain mash. Varieties include Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, American bourbon, Canadian whiskey. Popular brands are Johnnie Walker, Jameson, Jack Daniel's.
• Gin - Flavored vodka made by distilling grains with juniper berries and botanicals. Popular gin brands: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's.
• Brandy - Produced by distilling wine. Types include Cognac and Armagnac from France. Top brands are Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Courvoisier.
• Liqueurs - Flavored spirits made from distilled alcohol mixed with fruits, herbs, spices, etc. Examples are Baileys, Kahlúa, Amaretto, Campari.