Grappa, traditionally
an Italian drink, results from the fermentation of pressed skins and seeds
of grapes, or grape pomace. During fermentation no sugar or alcohol is added;
once done, the product is distilled. It then ages in oak casks from which
it attains its color and added flavor and aroma. The average yield runs from
.4 to .5 gallon pure alcohol per 100 lb of slightly pressed solid residue,
or draff.
These bottles
of grappa to your left are made with astute care at the Clear Creek
Distillery.
Brandy
is a distillate made from wine. The pomace brandy is a distillate of the pressed
grape pulps, skins, and stems. As it is not aged in wooden casks it has a rougher
taste but keeps its fresher fruit aroma. Fruit brandy is a distillate made from
fermented fruits other than grapes. Given a potstill with a 50-gallon mash capacity
using a wine with a 12% alcoholic content, the resulting pure alcoholic yield
would be 4.2 gallons. Once this liquid is diluted, or cut, down to a drinkable
level of 40% alcoholic content the result would be 10.5 gallons of brandy.
Eau-de-vie,
or fruit brandy and French for "water of life", is a clear spirit
resulting from the pure distillation of fermented fruits. No additional flavorings,
sugar, or colorants are added. Eau-de-vies can be aged from months to years
although aging is not necessary. Aging in special casks may provide a golden
color. Because the liquor coming straight from the still is at 140-150 proof,
it is cut down to 80-90 proof, a more drinkable level. Pot distilling best produces
eau-de-vie.
Whiskey results
from the fermented mash of grains such as wheat, rye, barley and corn. There
are many types of whiskeys, each a unique derivative dependent on the grain
used, the water source, the distillation process (how and how many times),
and the aging process (how long and in what). The average yield for a batch
of whiskey in a 50-gallon potstill is about 3.2 gallons of pure alcohol, resulting
in about 8 gallons of whiskey of 40% volume.
Shown here is
McCarthy's Single Malt Whiskey, made at Clear Creek Distillery.
Shown
here are bottles of "pear in a bottle" brandy made by Clear Creek
Distillery in Portland, Oregon.
