Distilled spirits

Distilled spirits are alcoholic beverages made by heating an alcohol obtained through fermentation, then cooling the resulting vapor to return it to liquid form. This process produces drinks with a high alcohol content and concentrated flavor. Distilled spirits include shochu, whisky, and gin, each with its own ingredients, production methods, and flavor. Sake (nihonshu) is not a distilled spirit but is classified as a brewed alcoholic beverage, meaning it is made through fermentation alone. Because of these characteristics, distilled spirits are often enjoyed as after-dinner drinks and as a base for cocktails.