Whiskey & Spirits Trivia

Distilled spirits share the same basic process — ferment, distill, sometimes age — but the raw ingredients and traditions behind them vary enormously by country and region, producing everything from smoky Scotch to clear, unaged spirits.

This quiz covers the basics of how spirits are made and a few of the categories and traditions that define them.

From Grain to Glass

A handful of terms and rules define what separates one spirit from another.

• Bourbon must be made in the United States and contain at least 51% corn in its mash bill.
• Scotch whisky must be distilled and aged in Scotland for at least three years.
• Tequila can legally only be produced in specific regions of Mexico, using the blue agave plant.
• "Proof" in the U.S. is double the alcohol by volume, so 80 proof means 40% ABV.

Traditions Around the World

Different countries built entirely different spirit traditions around what grew locally.

• Vodka is traditionally distilled from grains or potatoes and is prized for its neutral flavor.
• Rum is distilled from sugarcane byproducts, like molasses, and has deep roots in the Caribbean.
• Cognac is a type of brandy that can only be produced in the Cognac region of France.