Distilled Spirits Encyclopedia Article

Distilled Spirits

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.

Distilled Spirits

Distillation is a process that separates alcohol (ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol) from fermenting juices of grains, fruits, or vegetables. Distilled spirits (or, simply, spirits or liquors) are the alcoholic drinks formed by distillation. For example, the distillation of grapes results in wine, and the distillation of wine results in brandy, a spirit. Other distilled spirits include whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka. Distilled spirits are from 30 to 100 percent grain alcohol (60 to 200 proof), and the rest is mainly water.

See Also

Alcohol: History of Drinking; Beers and Brews.