What are spirits?

The term spirits describes the product of distillation, whatever the raw materials, or whether it be in a pure state or contaminated by impurities normally present in any distillate. Generally. the word refers to any volatile inflammable liquid obtained by distillation.

Spirits for human consumption. or potable spirits, are the distillates of alcoholic liquids, the alcohol in which has been formed by the fermentation of sugar as contained in grapejuice, sugar-cane. etc., or in saccharified materials such as specially prepared cereals, e.g. malted barley.

© SWA 1995