Theres A Hennessy For Every Budget
Hennessy V.S. is crafted from a blend of Cognacs aged at least two years. It has notes of soft fruit, toasted nuts, and vanilla, and costs less than $50. Its V.S.O.Ps is aged at least four years and has mature notes of fresh fruit, spice, and rich vanilla and tobacco undertones, while Hennessys X.O. is crafted from a blend that is aged a minimum of 10 years and has warming notes of candied fruit, chocolate, and hints of wood and pepper.
What Are The Different Types Of Liquor The 7 You Must Know
Who doesnt love an alcoholic beverage? Whether youre a malt beverage drinker , a wine connoisseur, or a spirits fiend, there is something for everyone. But when it comes to liquor it can be very hard to know what is what. There are many different types of alcoholic liquor that fall under this umbrella term.
In short, liquor is a term given to a variety of distilled spirits. These alcoholic beverages provide the foundation for many different cocktails. They are also enjoyable on their own, drunk straight or on the rocks. There are many different types of liquor on the market, each made using different ingredients that create complex flavors. If you want to know the difference between a whisky and a bourbon, what vodka is made from, or how to make some classic cocktails using liquors, read on.
*Be sure to drink responsibly to avoid alcohol addiction or any other alcohol-related issues.
Cognac Vs Whiskey Vs Bourbon: Maturation Process
When people ask, Why is cognac so expensive? a big part of the answer lies in how it is painstakingly matured.
Cognac casks are made from French oak most often Limousin oak, but oak from Alliers or Tronçais are also allowed. Limousin oak has a tighter grain structure than American oak, which dramatically impacts the maturing spirit. And unlike bourbon, these barrels are un-charred they are either toasted or open-air cured.
After the spirit is placed into French oak barrels, they go into cellars to mature.
As a result of the micro-climate environment within these earthen cellars, cognac loses alcoholic strength as it matures. So, each year the spirit in the cask has a lower ABV than the previous year. Eventually, old casks reach 80-proof, or 40 percent ABV the legal minimum at which cognac can be bottled. At this point, the spirit is transferred into glass demijohns to prevent the ABV from going any lower. These legacy cognacs are used to give depth to overall blends.
There are numerous labeling terms for cognac that are regulated by the AOC. A breakdown can be found in the chart in the following section.
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Why Is Liquor Called A Spirit
Middle Eastern alchemists used the term spirit to refer to the vapor produced when transmuting lead into gold. Like the alchemical process, the alcohol distillation process also involves collecting the vapor of the fermented ingredients.
According to Middle Eastern alchemists, the vapor is the spirit of the original material.
Another interesting fact is that all types of liquor are considered hard because they contain higher levels of ethanol than other types of alcohol. In North America, for instance, the term hard liquor helps differentiate distilled drinks from the non-distilled varieties.
Whats The Difference Between Brandy & Cognac
Cognac is a brandy made from a specific region in France, while brandy can be made from any part of the world . The town where the cognacs must come from is known for its high level of terroir.
The location where the grapes were grown links to the sweetness of the Cognac. However, any premium grapes all over the world could make a brandy.
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Cognac Vs Whiskey Vs Bourbon: Where Are They Made
While brandy can be made anywhere, cognac is a specific type of brandy from France. The production methods for cognac are strictly defined by the AOC. This extends to where it can be produced a strictly defined region near Bordeaux that centers around the town of Cognac, France.
Whiskey can be made anywhere in the world. Types of whiskey include bourbon, Irish whiskey, scotch blended and single malt whiskies, Japanese whiskies and many more. Each of these reflects the country in which it is produced.
Bourbon is a specific type of whiskey that must be produced in the United States.
Final Thoughts On The Different Types Of Liquor
People yearn to learn about different liquors for all sorts of reasons. It could be that you want to master the reserves at your favorite local joint and order like a pro when youre out with your buddies.
It may also be that youre setting up yourhome bar with the aim of earning your seat at the table of gracious guests. Either way, theres nothing sexier than knowing your sweet whiskies from your cognacs. So, will you be stocking up with rum, or will you be sticking to your usualbourbon and scotch?
Well be happy to hear all about your liquor taste buds in the comment section below!
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Popular Cognac Cocktail Recipes
Instructions: To make a Demerara sugar syrup, combine Demerara/Turbinado sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir continuously until sugar dissolves. Let it cool down and bottle.
Next, combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, then add at least 5 to 6 ice cubes. Shake and strain into a short glass. Add another ice cube to the glass and garnish with a rosemary sprig and a lemon wedge.
Serving: 1
Other Types Of Brandy
Brandy is a very diverse family of spirits that goes beyond cognac. “There are a number of styles and ways to make brandy,” Erickson says. “Every producing region has their own traditions.”
There are as many different styles of brandy as there are places it’s made. Brandy de Jerez from Spain, Raki or Rakia in the Balkans and Mediterranean, and the grape-based Italian grappa are all standouts. There are also many brandies produced in California’s wine country by large and craft distillers alike. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most well known styles of brandy.
Eau de vie: French for “water of life,” eau de vie is a term that describes unaged brandy. Eau de vie is a clear spirit made to showcase the ripeness and freshness of the fruits used to produce it. This term is sometimes used to describe the fruit-based distillate before it is barrel aged.
Armagnac: Armagnac is a popular style of French brandy distilled in the Armagnac region Gascony, Southwestern France. It’s similar to cognac, but since it is produced in a different region with different traditions, has a different protected name. Compared to cognac production, armagnac brandies are produced by much smaller distilleries in smaller amounts more for local consumption.
Calvados: Made in the Calvados region of Normandy, Calvados is a French apple brandy distilled from hard apple cider. Along with Cognac and Armagnac, Calvados is a legally protected style of brandy.
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How Brandy Is Different From Whiskey
Some may think that brandy is a type of whiskey, but the two drinks are very different. Unlike brandy, the distilled spirit is made of fermented grain mash and can use a different variety including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. For the most part, whiskey is aged in wooden casks, generally made of white oak. Bourbon, which is a type of whiskey, needs to be aged in new, charred white oak barrels.
Whiskey and brandy are similar in alcohol content. The range of ABV for whiskey is 40 to 50 percent.
For additional info, check out this article about whiskey barrels!
Frapin’s Chteau Fontpinot Xo Is The Best Of The Best
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Liquors / Chloe Jeong
Cognac is the spirit you should be reaching for and drinking now, says certified cognac educator Ms. Franky Marshall. Thats, in part, because of its diversity. Made from grapesprimarily high-acid, low-alcohol ugni blanc varietythat are fermented, twice-distilled, and then matured in oak barrels before blending and bottling, this brandy from Frances Cognac region is not just for sipping after dinner by the fire. In fact, its one of the widest-ranging spirits categories out there.
Much of the difference between bottles has to do with how long they are aged. Younger VS, or very special, cognac is blended from brandies at least two years old, while an XO cognac, or “extra-old” cognac, gets its rich depth because it must be aged at least six years. The VSOP, or very superior old pale cognacs, blended from four-year and older brandies, are right in the middle, with characteristics of both youth and age.
We consulted with our experts and have curated the best cognacs to get right now. Thanks to its balanced flavors and intense aromatics, Frapin’s Château Fontpinot XO is our top pick.
Read on for our complete list to find your next favorite cognac.
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How Is Cognac Made
The Cognac production process is a long and difficult one. Before the double distillation begins, the wine is first produced by fermenting the grapes. The fermentation process lasts for several weeks, and technically the result would just be “wine.”
However, it’s not the kind of wine people would love to drink. Why? The answer is acid! The wine outcome would be awfully acidic, which would render it unpleasant to consume.
Although acidic wine is not ideal for drinking at that stage, it’s actually a vital process when making cognac. It’s because the high levels of acid and alcohol help maintain the fruity and floral aromas of Cognacs and their unique flavors too!
Folle Blanche, Colobard, and Ugni Blanc are grapes of great acidity, which is why it’s the flagship grape of all Cognacs.
After fermentation, you get wine with about 8 to 10% of alcohol content. Next is the Cognac distillation process, a long and sophisticated piece of work. The copper pot stills known as Alambic Charentais or alembic are the traditional equipment of distillers.
The Alambic Charentais is a three-part system that includes the chaudiere or boiler, which heats liquid chapiteau, or condenser for cooling purposes and chauffe-vin, or wine warmer that’s optional but acts as an energy saver.
Fermenting then distilling the grapes would produce the ideal eau-de-vie for Cognac. Eau-de-vie is the product attained after distilling the wine twice in copper pot stills.
The 7 Most Commonly Used Different Types Of Liquor
Now, lets get to what we all came here for, the different types of liquor. To be honest, there are a lot of them. So rather than go through an exhaustive list of spirits youre likely never to use , were going to focus on the best alcohols in my opinion.
And, in my opinion, there are 7 types of hard liquor that we should be focused on.
These are the bad boys that youll find behind every bar, restaurant, and/or licensed cafe you ever work at. So were going to take a look at each of these different types of liquor in detail, what makes them different, and clear up any of the confusing terminology surrounding them.
The liquors that were going to look at are:
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Does Champagne Go Bad
Though Champagne doesnt go bad in that it wont become dangerous to drink, it can quickly lose its signature character once opened, says Goddu. Whenever possible, drink Champagne the day you open it. Each bottle holds about five glasses, so grab a couple friends and split a bottle between you, he says.
Which Cognac Is Right For You
With so many choices in brands and types, it could be confusing knowing which one to choose. Therefore Lincoln Road Package Store is sharing a few products that we believe will provide a quality introduction to the cognac world.
- Grande Champagne cognacs, any grade: Considered one of the best cognac varieties available, Grande Champagne is a cognac from Grande Champagne, France. Within the brand, you can find various grades providing a quality product at a reasonable price. Typically, these cognacs come in at VS or VSOP grading levels and are easy to sip and drink. Although VS cognacs mixes well into a cocktail, VSOP cognacs are best neat.
- Hennessy XO: A well-known brand name with an authentic cognac experience goes hand in hand with Hennessey XO. Paired with food or enjoyed alone, the extra old variety is a popular choice. Even if Hennessey is the most known, true cognac connoisseurs may tell you it is not the best on the market.
- Remy Martin VSOP: As an inexpensive, but a quality product, Remy Martin provides the same flavor and sophistication as other cognacs. Remy Martin VSOP offers features of a licorice vanilla flavor that may surprise and delight you.
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Hennessy Is French By Way Of Ireland
As a Cognac, Hennessy is thoroughly French even though the brand was founded by Irish military officer and businessman, Richard Hennessy. At the age of 19, Hennessy left Ireland and journeyed to France, where he fought under Louis XV in the War of the Austrian Succession. When his military career came to an end, Hennessy turned his attention to trade and, with the help of his uncle, founded Hennessy Cognac in 1765.
Hennessy Worked With The Artist Behind The Obama Hope Poster
In 2014, Hennessy unveiled a limited edition bottle collection designed by street artist and social activist Shepard Fairey. Having previously worked with many renowned artists, including KAWS, Futura, and Os Gemeos, the collaboration with Fairey best known for his iconic Obama Hope poster seemed more than fitting. For his bottle design, the contemporary American artist incorporated elements of the brands legacy with his signature iconography style and striking color palette.
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The Different Types Of Liquor A Bartenders Guide
Liquor vs Liqueurs? Whisky vs Whiskey? Scotch vs Bourbon? Spirits?
Theres no doubt about it, the world of different types of liquor can be extremely confusing to the uninitiated. I remember when I first started working with liquor and I knew nothing. I had no idea what gin, vodka, or rum were. And I assumed that since scotch and bourbon were both called whisky, they were pretty much the same thing
But boy was I wrong.
And I didnt realize how wrong I was until I tried to give a bourbon drinker scotch instead. He quickly perked up and told me that what I gave him wasnt the bourbon that he ordered. He was right It was scotch. But instead of correcting my mistake and swapping his drink for the one he wanted, I proceeded to tell him that since they were both called whisky, they were the same thing!
It was embarrassing
Fortunately, I had the guidance of a senior bartender to point out my mistake. And he was kind enough to teach me some of the basics on the different types of liquor.
Some of it stuck, some of it didnt. And sometimes it felt like the more I learned about the liquor types, the more confusing everything became. The law gets involved, companies employ different marketing tactics, and everyones got an opinion
But eventually, things started to make sense. And thats what this article is about. Rather than put you through the same kind of misery I went through when I first started, I want to clear things up from the beginning.
Lets get to it.
Liquor Store At 2800 Lincoln Road Suite A In Hattiesburg Ms
With various types of cognac, it could be challenging to decide on which one to choose. Now that you have some information about the different kinds of cognac available, it may help you decide which to try. If you want to learn more, feel free to contact us by calling 268-3677, emailing jamiefarris@gmail.com or come by Lincoln Road Package Store at 2800 Lincoln Road, Suite A, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to pick up a bottle today.
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Brandy Vs Cognac: Whats The Difference
By now, youve probably noticed that Courvoisier refers to their spirits as cognac, not brandy. But whats the difference? Brandy and cognac are effectively the same thing, but cognac is a very specific type of brandy. Cognac is produced in the region of Cognac, France, and only brandy made in this area is allowed to be cognac .
Cognacs are held to a very strict and specific distilling process, which often results in higher retail prices due to how exclusive bottles are. In fact, the distilling process is so specific that theres even a particular type of grape that Courvoisier must use in order for their spirits to qualify as cognac. Their cognac is distilled in copper distillers and then aged in oak barrels for several years to draw out the smooth flavors of the wood.
How Brandy Is Different From Wine
Wine is an alcoholic drink that is the result of fermenting fruit juice. Grapes are mashed into a juice and pulp mixture into which yeast, water, and sometimes sugar, is added. This mixture is left to settle for a period of several days or weeks, during which time the yeast converts the sugars into ethanol, carbon dioxide, and heat.
The resulting product is a low-sugar, higher-alcohol liquid. This liquid is then aged for a period of weeks, months, or years, filtered, and bottled into an airtight container. This product is now considered wine.
In contrast, brandy is a liquor that is the result of distilling wine. Wine is placed in a distillation container and brought to a simmering boil. During the distillation process, excess water evaporates off and several distillate substances bubble out of the stills spout.
The hearts are collected into containers, poured into glass jars or barrels, and left to age. The resulting product now 35 to 60 percent alcohol by volume is considered brandy it can also be distilled and aged once again.
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