The How?

In this blog I highlight the ‘how’ in relation to the label and how it describes what’s inside. I won’t be going into the depths of how the distilling process works. I will talk about things distillers may do during their processes to make their spirit look a certain way or have a certain flavor.

Again, I want to highlight these things because they not only tell the story of your spirit, but also help you make an informed bottled selection.

Color:
Usually, when we talk about color, we’re speaking about brown spirits. These spirits typically develop their colors from the barrel during the aging process. 

However, some distillers that produce spirits that don’t age very long may add color in other ways such as through use of caramel or an artificial coloring. This may be specified on the label as such:

“COLORED WITH CARAMEL”
“CERTIFIED COLOR ADDED”

It is important to note that the use or addition of any coloring, flavoring or blending material may change the class of spirit. For example, if FD&C Yellow is added to straight bourbon, the spirit is no longer classed as ‘straight bourbon whiskey’; it becomes a ‘spirits specialty’ class and MUST BE LABELED with a statement such as:

 “STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY WITH FD&C YELLOW #5 ADDED”

For this particular addition, it must appear on the FRONT of the label.

There are a few coloring materials considered ‘harmless’ and therefore may be used in a small specified amount without having to appear on the label.

Treatment with Wood:
Another method to add color and taste to a young whisky would be to color and flavor with wood. The wood typically is in the form of chips, slabs or extracts.

If this method is used, a statement something like this is required to appear on the FRONT of the label:

“COLORED AND FLAVORED WITH WOOD CHIPS”

This applies only to whisky and brandy treated with wood (other than the contact with their oak aging barrels) at ANY POINT during the production and storage process and up to and including the time of bottling.

Flavoring Materials
Flavoring materials can include anything from essential oils to herbs, spices and fruit juices. However, all flavoring materials used in alcoholic beverages must be approved by or affirmed as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by FDA.

In addition for labeling purposes, all flavoring materials are categorized as ALL NATURAL or NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL or ALL ARTIFICIAL.

Blending Materials
Blending materials include wine and sugar. Different rules apply to different spirits with regard to what volume used would be considered ‘harmless’.

Harmless coloring, flavoring and blending materials are any materials that are an essential component of the particular class/type of distilled spirit or any materials that are not essential but are customarily used and do not exceed 2.5% by volume of the finished product.

There is a great chart in the Department of the Treasury Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau’s (TTB) ‘The Beverage and Alcohol Manual (BAM). Follow this link to see the chart online: Use of Harmless Coloring/Flavoring/Blending Materials. 

This chart describes:

• Whether harmless materials may be used or added
• Whether the use or addition is limited to 2.5% volume
• What type of flavoring may be added
• Whether the use of the material must be disclosed on the label
  
  

This is a lot of information to digest, however as I mentioned in the first blog of this series, the team at Murray’s Fools would like to see the consumer make their own conclusions of what they determine to be ‘hand-crafted’ or not. The best way to do that is to walk into the liquor store armed with at least a basic knowledge of what your label may tell you about what’s inside the bottle.

If you missed the first two blogs, or want to refresh your memory, you can check them out here:
Unlocking the Liquor Bottle Label Language | Part One of Four
Unlocking the Liquor Bottle Label Language | Part Two of Four

Watch for the next blog, ‘The When’, where I’ll talk a little bit about the aging process of a spirit.

Part Two of Four: The WHAT?

The TTB mandatory label information includes 15 different items as listed in the Beverage Alcohol Manual Table of Contents. In this four-part blog series I skim the surface of some of these, providing an overview of some of the things you will see on your liquor bottle label and what they could mean.

For the ‘What’ aspect of this series I’m touching on ‘Class and Type’, ‘Alcohol Content’,’ Net Contents’ and ‘Commodity Statement’. There are a few other topics that could be considered a ‘What’ such as ‘Presence of Coloring Materials’ however I feel these become more of the ‘How’ and will speak more  about them later in my upcoming ‘How’ blog.

1. Class and Type Designation

This is the identity of the distilled spirit and must appear on the FRONT of the bottle.
 
The alcoholic beverage category of distilled spirits is divided into a number of general but defined classes, e.g. “Neutral Spirits or Alcohol” and “Gin”.

Below are a few selections I pulled from the TTB chart that categorizes and broadly defines classes and types. Not every option is shown,I’ve listed common and notable spirits. If you want to check out the full list, here is a link for the chart on the TTB website: CLASS AND TYPE DESIGNATION

* Within this class you also have many other versions of these types that include Straight, Distilled from Mash, Light and several Blended versions.
^ Rye, bourbon, rum, or brandy liquor produced using rock candy or sugar syrup.
** Flavored must be indicated on the label, however infused and flavored are not the same thing.

Some examples of required class and type statement are:

“BOURBON WHISKY”
Would be on the label for a whisky produced in the US, not exceeding 80% ABV from fermented mash no less than 51% corn, stored at no more than 62.5% ABV in new charred oak barrels.

“STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKY”
Would be on the label for a Bourbon whiskey stored in charred new oak barrels for 2 yrs. or more. It may include mixtures of two or more straight bourbon whiskies as long as they are made in the same state.

“WHISKY FROM BOURBON MASH”
Would be on the label for a whisky produced in the US, not exceeding 80% ABV from fermented mash no less than 51% corn, stored used charred oak barrels.

2. Alcohol Content

Alcohol content must be indicated on the FRONT of the label and stated in % alcohol by volume, i.e.

40% Alc. by Vol.

Alcohol proof can also be shown in addition to the required ABV statement but must appear on the front with the ABV statement:

40% Alc. by Vol. – 80 Proof
 
3. Net Contents
 
It is a requirement that you can see from the label or the bottle the net contents. Distilled spirits must be bottled, packed or filled in a metric standard of fill. This requirement must be shown on the label and/or blown into the glass of the bottle and must be stated as one of these amounts:
 
1.75 Liters
1 Liter
750 ml
375 ml
200 ml
100 ml
50 ml
 
4. Commodity Statement

It is a requirement for the label to tell you the percentage of neutral spirits and what the neutral spirits were distilled from. For neutral spirits, vodka, grain spirits and gin produced by original distillation the percentage part is not required.
 
So - somewhere on your label (it’s not required to be on the front) you would see something like this:
 
“100% NEUTRAL SPIRITS DISTILLED FROM CORN” or
“100% GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRITS”
 
OR if produced by original distillation:
 
“DISTILLED FROM RYE”
 
As you can see so far from Part One and Part Two you can really learn the story of your bottle, building a relationship with  what you’re drinking by deciphering the details on the label! Stay tuned for Part Three ‘The How’.

“The craft distillery industry is booming”, is often heard these days. I’ve seen this statement in many a blog, news article and PR piece over the last few years and it still rings true.
 
Living in the Capital Region of New York, I’ve seen this boom directly represented in the area’s liquor stores, both large and small.
 
In my local shopping experience I’ve seen NY liquor selections include everything from small batch vodka to craft rye whiskey, artisan rum and handcrafted bourbon.  ‘Buying Local’ liquor is now even closer to home with so many choices becoming available within counties and even cities. The 90 or so small batch New York craft distilleries are located all over the state, from the very top near the Canadian border to the south in Brooklyn. The reach is far, and the growth tremendous.
 
This ‘boom’ provides liquor stores an entirely new category for their selection and a good percentage of them are enjoying the results of taking advantage of the rise in local options.
 

This new ‘local craft beverages’ category benefits the craft distillers, the discerning public and the liquor stores.
 
Craft Distillers:

• REACH THE MARKET: The adoption of  ‘buy local’ in the liquor industry creates a channel for the craft distilleries to reach a specific target market.
  
  
• MARKET DEMAND: Having a product prominently displayed in a ‘buy local’ display has developed a market demand for craft distillers small batch liquors.

 
Discerning Public:

• MORE INTERESTING CHOICES: With liquor stores increasingly stocking more local bottles on their shelves gives you more choices and the means to indulge their desire to ‘buy local’ and support the area’s economy.
  
  
• FIRST TO FIND UNIQUE & NEW PRODUCTS: Having easy access to local small batch spirits allows you to easily find and enjoy new and interesting tastes.

 
Liquor Stores:

• NEW TARGET MARKET: Stocking their shelves with local craft distillery spirits draws a new target market to the store. Once it is known that a liquor store has a wide local selection, the discerning public will spread the word.
  
  
• REPEAT VISITS: That same market is curious and adventurous and will make repeat visits to the same store to see if there are any new craft distillers products or local ‘in-store’ tastings.

This NY Capital Region liquor store created an amazing display dedicated to locally produced small batch craft spirits. As soon as you walk in the door of All Star Liquor in Latham, NY you are greeted immediately with New York small batch vodka, craft rye whiskey, artisan rum, handcrafted bourbon and more.

In my Capital Region observations, our liquor stores all have their own unique and different ways of presenting their New York state spirits. Some will mix the New York spirits on the shelves among all other options, others will have a specific shelf or display dedicated to locally produced bottles, and others will have a mixture of both.
 
My favorite style of presentation that I’ve witnessed in both large and small stores is a ‘Buy Local’ display that is located immediately on entry to the store. Some stores will also offer tastings and seminars from local distillers, where the drinking public has the opportunity to ‘meet the maker’.
 
For you, as the ‘buy local’ consumer, the key is to ask. If you’re interested in supporting local craft spirit distillers, definitely ask a liquor store staff member, they are typically very knowledgeable and want to help you find something you will enjoy. It is also helpful to the local distillery for you to ask and encourage more liquor stores to offer local options.
 
Think New York. Drink New York.

Over the past decade there has been a huge cocktail renaissance. With this mixology reawakening, we now have a surplus of information in the form of books, blogs and websites.

In the beginning of this resurgence the information was still a little limited and resources were scant. The cocktail world went from 0-60 on the ‘access to information’ scale. This rapid ramp up has its ups and downs. On one hand, you now have access to a lot of very specific information about techniques, equipment, famous bartenders and bars, both vintage and contemporary cocktails, spirit specific drinks, historical chronicles and so on. On the other hand, all this information can be overwhelming and have you wondering ‘what is the BEST information?’ and ‘how do I choose?’.

I recently visited a local bookstore and the section on cocktails was HUGE! I usually peruse and then decide what I want to purchase now and/or later. Within minutes I found myself juggling at least four new books I was interested in; a book all about Shrubs, another on bitters and an Amari guide, one about cocktails with a literary twist and another about infusing… I wanted them all! So I jot down my list and ask friends and family if they’ve read any and look at reviews. My advice to you is to go with your gut. You are the only person who truly knows what you like and what you really enjoy. Reading is a subjective experience after all!

However, if you are interested in some reviews and/or recommendations, I am happy to share a few of my (recent) favorites.

Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails
By Ted Haigh

This book is great for planning parties!

Favorite things about this book:

• Spiral bound, just like a recipe book!
• Great pictures and graphically appealing. I love the nostalgic look about it!
• Entertaining and well written historical notes on each cocktail.
• Resource guide in the back of the book.
• I love that is has a list of RIP cocktail ingredients at the end of the book. A short list of items used in vintage cocktails that no longer exist.
  
  

The only complaint I have is that the cocktails are listed in alphabetical order; I generally like to see the cocktails listed by liquor or type of cocktail (e.g. fruity, spicy etc.).  However, there is a ‘Liquor Index’ at the back of the book where you can look up your favorite liquor and see the cocktail and the page number of various drinks made with your spirit of choice.

The Drunken Botanist
By Amy Stewart

This book is for learning and creating!

I really enjoyed this book because:

• It will take you back to the very science of your cocktail. Not only did I get a little history, I learned what the spirit is made from and discovered how to make various cocktails, syrups and infusions as well as how to grow my own ingredients!
• Every good drink starts with a plant!
• I really liked how the book was laid out. Each plant has its own section that speaks to its history, where it might grow, what parts of the plant are used, whether it is dangerous or not and then on to a suggested cocktail and maybe even an interesting fact (learning these will never leave you without something to say at a cocktail party).
• In the last section of the book there are growing notes for those that might have a green thumb and want to grow their own ingredients.
• This is a fantastic book for the curious! Reading this book helped me to understand the chemistry of creating a flavorful cocktail. It inspired me to create and set me off on various recipe adventures of my own, some disastrous and some fabulous. 
  

Imbibe!
By David Wondrich

 A book from a master to increase your knowledge and be the life of the cocktail party!

In homage to “Professor” Jerry Thomas, pioneer of the American bar, this book delves into the little-known history of the great classic American cocktails.

What I love about this book:

• Love the historical aspect, the author had unearthed many historical gems and the book is full of interesting and entertaining anecdotes.
• The how they used to do it vs. how they do it now is pretty cool.
• The book is laid out by cocktail category making it easy to find the prefect cocktail for your occasion.
• I also enjoyed the bitters and syrups section at the end of the book.

Tea Cocktails: A Mixologist’s Guide to Legendary Tea-Infused Cocktails
By Abigail R. Gehring

A book for entertaining on porches and patios!

I loved this book last year and just took it off the shelf and dusted it off in preparation of ‘porch weather’!

This book I loved because:

• It is very focused on a type of ingredient (tea) but had many different cocktails and varieties of that ingredient to be creative with.
• There is a very helpful guide on how to brew tea. I had no idea there were specific brewing times and temperatures that effected the flavors of the different types of tea until I read this book!
• The tips pages were great and included information on everything from tools to glass types.
• The book was divided into flavor type sections, which I loved! Being able to pick a cocktail based on your ‘taste-mood’ is great!
• The bonus is that there is a section of Tea-infused appetizers too! Yummy stuff like ‘Summer Rolls with Green Tea Dipping Sauce’!

The only complaint I have about this book is that it is very heavy on the Teatulia Organic Teas and tea flavors and terms info. However, it is produced by them with the author so despite all the additional (and for me unnecessary information) I made some amazing tea cocktails last summer and am looking forward to making many more this year!

What’s on my wishlist?
Shrubs: An Old Fashioned Drink for Modern Times
A book all about the vintage drink mixer - Shrubs.

In fact I think I’ll visit my local bookstore right after I post this blog!

We learned a lot of very cool things from our craft distillation class instructor, Master Distiller Rusty Figgins, but one of the intriguing things of note was that distillery stills are traditionally christened with feminine names.

We have had a lot of serious support from both of our mothers. It didn’t take a lot of thinking to decide to name our stills after them. We are both so thankful for this support and all the encouragement they have given us to get us started!

These two women have been tremendously supportive throughout the entire process (even though I think deep down they think we’re totally nuts to be doing this) and because of this we have decided to christen our stills ‘Lois Ann’ in deep admiration of Randall’s mother and ‘Barbara Ann’ in profound appreciation of Sarah’s mum.