Spirits, explained

What the label can tell you — and what it cannot

ABV, age, origin, raw material and style words can all help. None of them can tell you whether you will actually enjoy the bottle.

Start with category and origin

Protected names such as Cognac or Tequila carry geographical and production meaning. Broader terms such as rum or brandy cover much wider territory.

ABV affects the experience

Strength changes aroma, texture and how a spirit behaves with ice or mixers. Higher is not automatically better; lower is not automatically simpler.

Age statements are category-specific clues

An age can describe maturation time under a particular rule set. It does not make two spirits from different climates or categories directly comparable.

Colour needs caution

Wood, filtration, permitted colouring and blending can all affect appearance. Darker does not simply mean older.

Price is not a sensory description

Packaging, rarity, tax, marketing, age and production cost all influence price. Use flavour preferences and intended serve as the first buying filters.

Now change the bottle

The principle stays. The result can be completely different.

Grain — commonly barley, corn, rye or wheat

Shop spirits Spirit pairings Cocktail Maker

What the label can tell you — and what it cannot

Start with category and origin

ABV affects the experience

Age statements are category-specific clues

Colour needs caution

Price is not a sensory description

The principle stays. The result can be completely different.

Whisky

Gin

Rum

Vodka

Agave spirits

Brandy

Liqueurs