Bourbon Whiskey

A whiskey that has been distilled at less than 160-proof from a fermented mash of grain that contains at a minimum 51% corn by volume. It must be aged in a new charred oak barrel with a barrel entry proof not to exceed 125-proof. To be designated a "straight" bourbon whiskey it must age for a minimum of two years. Any age less than four years must be stated on the label. Bourbon must be bottled at 80-proof or higher. Bourbon can only be produced in the United States.

No two bourbons are the same. Their individual character and flavors differ depending on factors such as grain proportions, aging temperatures and duration, yeast cultures, barrel preparation and quality, white oak barrels, the physical characteristics of the still and the individual distiller’s standard of operation.

Tennessee Whiskey

Tennessee Whiskey is considered more special and labor intensive to craft than bourbon, while conforming to the same standards. Aged a minimum of four years or more. The one additional step that sets Tennessee Whiskey apart from bourbons is the process of charcoal-mellowing. Charcoal-mellowing is the process of refining whiskey by slowly mellowing it drop by drop through large vats packed with hard sugar maple charcoal.

American Blended Whiskey

American Blended Whiskey is a blend of straight whiskies and either grain neutral spirits or unaged grain whiskies. It must contain at least 20% straight whiskey by volume. The objective of blended whiskey is to provide the consumer with a light, inexpensive alternative to the full bodied, premium straight whiskies.

Canadian Whisky

Canadian Whisky can be distilled from a fermented mash of corn, rye, wheat, and/or barley. Canadian Whisky is generally a blend of aged grain whisky and full-bodied blending whiskies. Many distillers add sherry wine and caramel as a blender. Maturation takes place in used oak barrels for a minimum of three years.

Irish Whiskey

Irish Whiskies come in two primary styles, blended and single malt. The blended Irish whiskies are a composition of grain whiskey and pot still whiskies. The grain whiskey can be produced from a mash of corn in column stills. The pot still whiskies are made from barley that has been distilled three times in copper pot stills. Irish Whiskies generally age in used American bourbon barrels.

Scotch Whiskey

Like Irish Whiskey, Scotch Whisky is produced according to two primary styles, blended and single malts. The primary differences between Scotch and Irish Whiskies are twofold. Scotch uses malted barley that has been exposed to a peat-fired heat source. This provides the malt with a certain degree of smokiness. This varies from brand to brand. The second difference is found in the distillation process. Most Scotch Whiskies (not including the column still produced grain whiskies) are double-distilled in copper pot stills where most Irish malts are triple distilled.

Vodka

Clear in nature and considered “tasteless”, vodka is never aged. It is ready to drink when it is made. Vodka requires no costly storage thus usually demanding less expensive prices than whiskey or bourbon. Vodka can be made from anything that ferments and generally is made from the most abundant thing available such as potatoes, beets, or grain. In general, vodka can be made anywhere in the world.

Gin

The main flavor in gin comes from juniper berries. Gin is made basically by combining both juniper berries and neutral spirits. Sometimes bits of other herbs and spices are added to create a particular flavor. Gin is usually not aged and can be made in any part of the world.

Rum

Rum is considered the perfect mixer and has the impression of sweetness that many people seem to enjoy. Rum is made from fermenting and distilling sugar cane juice and is usually made in areas where sugar cane is grown, such as, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Cuba. Generally, there are three types of rum: light, dark (usually aged) and spiced (added herb and spices for different flavors).

Tequila

Tequila is made from the juice of the agave plant. If the tequila is made from 100% fermented agave juice, it is to be designated "Pure" or "100% Agave Tequila." In a "Mixto Tequila" the juice is usually mixed with cane sugar or sugar syrup and allowed to ferment. It is then distilled and filtered. In some instances tequila is aged for smoothness. Tequila is generally served in margaritas and is most popular consumed as a shooter. Tequila can only be produced in Mexico.