Starting Ingredients…
Because there are so many different types of distilled spirits, there are endless possibilities for the starting ingredients. One thing that is universal, is the fact that distillation is taking an alcoholically fermented liquid and removing the water, leaving ethanol and some of the flavor compounds. The boiling point of alcohol is lower than waters boiling point of 212oF, which means that it will vaporize first, and can be separated another vessel.
Resources…
For a complete list of Washington State distilleries, please check out the Washington Distillers Guild’s distillery trail here.
Check out Washington State Universities’ Distilled Spirits analysis that earned top honors at the world conference!
Interested in the trends and data behind the distilled spirit industry? Head on over to Distilled Spirit’s Council where detailed explanations on each type of distilled spirits as well as market trends can be found.
Find information by century about different distilled spirits here.
Videos…
Below are a few helpful videos on understanding the distillation process.
Reading Materials…
Here are a few books that give a more in depth explanation of the histories of each type of distilled spirit as well as a small insight on the chemistry behind the alcoholic fermentation process.
Proof: The Science of Booze by Adam Rogers | Amazon | Personal accounts by Rogers, taking the reader through personal experiences with distillation.
The Art of Distilling Whiskey and Other Spirits: An Enthusiast’s Guide to the Artisan Distilling of Potent Potables edited by Bill Owens and Alan Dikty, foreward by Fritz Maytag | Amazon | Very factual – easy & fun read that explains history and geological differences in the same type of distilled spirit.
The Drunken Botanist: Plants That Create the World’s Great Drinks by Amy Stewart | Amazon | An interesting look at the plants used in making alcohol of all types.
