Encyclopedia
The ENTUZIAST Encyclopedia is your guide to the world of craft spirits. Learn about gin, honey spirits, botanicals, oak aging, distillation, terminology, and the science behind great drinks.
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The word “craft” is everywhere today.
Craft beer.
Craft gin.
Craft distillate.
Craft liqueur.
Craft rum.
And it is very easy to start treating ..
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On a bottle of aged spirits, the age statement can look very convincing.
3 years.
8 years.
12 years.
18 years.
And it is easy to come to a simpl..
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On the label of a strong alcoholic drink, there is almost always one number people notice immediately.
40%.
43%.
46%.
50%.
And very often, that ..
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A bottle of strong alcohol may contain dozens of words, numbers and designations.
Brand name, type of drink, strength, volume, country of origin, in..
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You take a sip of an aged distillate and notice an unusual sensation.
The mouth seems slightly drier.
The tongue and gums feel as though they have ..
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You take a sip of a strong distillate — and almost immediately you feel warmth.
First in the mouth.
Then in the throat.
A few seconds later, the w..
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You open a bottle, pour the first glass and clearly remember the aroma.
A few weeks later, you return to the same bottle — and the drink seems sligh..
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In tasting notes for whisky, brandy, rum or another aged distillate, you will often see words such as vanilla, caramel, coconut, spices, chocolate or..
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You pour a spirit into a glass, bring it to your nose — and suddenly you smell apple.
Or pear. Banana. Peach. Apricot. Citrus peel. Ripe berries.
T..
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The words “alcohol” and “distillate” are often used almost interchangeably. This is understandable: both concepts are related to alcoholic beverages..
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Where does the distillate go if the barrel doesn't leak?
Imagine an old warehouse filled with rows of oak barrels. It's quiet. No one opens the lids..
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Why does this question sound simple, but it doesn't have a simple answer?
If you ask people which distillate is better - three-year-old or twelve-ye..
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There is no “right” gin
One day a person decides to buy a good gin. He opens the catalog and sees dozens of incomprehensible names: London Dry, Old ..
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The most common misconception about London Dry Gin
If you ask someone who is just starting to get acquainted with the world of gin to explain what t..
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The biggest surprise during the first acquaintance
When a person hears the phrase "honey distillate" for the first time, they almost always imagine ..
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Honey that is never the same
If you put several jars of honey next to each other, even a person who has never been interested in beekeeping will im..
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It all starts not in the distillery
Imagine two beekeepers. One works among white acacia groves, where in spring the air is filled with a delicate f..
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On a store shelf, different bottles may all bear the same label reading “gin,” have a similar alcohol content, and carry the familiar aroma of juniper..
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Gin can have citrus, floral, herbal, berry, or spicy notes. Dozens of different botanicals can be used in its recipe, but juniper always remains at th..
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It’s impossible to imagine gin without juniper, but its character is rarely defined by just one ingredient. Beneath the piney freshness, notes of citr..
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Gin is easily recognizable by its characteristic juniper aroma, dry taste, and complex blend of botanical ingredients. Honey distillate is of a comple..
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When people first hear the phrase “honey distillate,” they often imagine a sweet drink with a distinct honey flavor. However, a true spirit made from ..
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In descriptions of aged craft spirits, you’ll often come across complex names like Oloroso, Sauternes, Tempranillo, or Garnacha. To someone just getti..
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When it comes to alcoholic beverages made from honey, most people automatically think of mead. However, modern craft production has long gone beyond t..