Distilled Spirits Industry

Distilled spirits, also called liquor or hard liquor, are alcoholic drinks produced by distilling grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar that have already undergone fermentation, a process that concentrates alcohol content well beyond that of beer or wine. Bottled spirits typically exceed 30 percent alcohol by volume, compared with a ceiling of roughly 15 percent for beer and wine, and common categories include vodka, rum, gin, and tequila, some aged in barrels or infused with flavorings. Consumption patterns vary by region, with spirits, vodka especially, more popular across northern and eastern Europe than in the south and west. The industry is distinct from the brewing and wine sectors both in its production process and in the higher-proof products it brings to market.