This article has been published by Comer y Beber. In this article we are going to talk about the types of liquors that we find.
It is a special day. There have been cocktails before the meal, excellent wines to accompany each course, and coffee has been served; however, the day is not over yet. The perfect way to end a meal, or a dinner, like this is to prolong the after-meal conversation; stay for one more drink after dinner, accompanied by a good conversation. As the Anglo-Saxons say, it is the hour of the spirits.
Everyone has an interest in realizing their own potential in one way or another. Spirits, these earthly spirits, may or may not help. But one thing is beyond doubt; they certainly make the trip more enjoyable.
Whiskey or, if you prefer the American spelling, whiskey is known throughout the world. Some of the top brands on the market today come from Japan. A traditional Bushmills from Ireland may be your favourite. Or, you may prefer a Scotch whisky, from further north. Or, even a delicate Bourbon from the American South. But when it comes to fine whiskey, geography doesn’t matter. What is important are the delicate notes of wood and spices that permeate any subtle distillate.
Those same notes, and something more, are also found in a good brandy. But those who have an invincible attachment to geography, however, need not be ashamed. Sometimes it does make a difference. Cognac is made only in the area of France that gives this divine liquid its name. Armagnac, a very similar spirit, is also linked by law and tradition to the Gascony region, where it is made.
Rum does not have a very strong connection with its production area. Most types of rum originated in the Caribbean, and much is still made there. It’s not easy to duplicate that climate, or the molasses that comes from the sugar cane that is its base. But whether it’s made in Haiti or the Dominican Republic, or even South Carolina, a good rum is never mistaken for plain grog.
For an equally flavorful, but deliciously different kind of liqueur, consider anise. Its origins are even more obscure, but no one could mistake its taste for anything else. This licorice liqueur is great on its own, or as part of a Galliano, or as an ingredient in a cocktail.
Some prefer a purer flavor, finding the pursuit of the full notes of fruit or smoke a distraction. For some, rum is for pirates and licorice is strictly for children. Also is okay. To each his own. For these people a great vodka or gin can be just the drink.
The careful addition of botanicals makes these spirits perfect on their own or as a base for a gorgeous cocktail. Even tequila could fit into this category, as it has the most delicate notes of the agave plant from which it comes.