Rum

Rum is a liqour that originated in the West indies and is made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. The distillate is usually a clear liquid and is then aged in oak barrels.

Most Rums are produced in the Caribbeans and American countries, but are now produced in other sugar producing countries like PHilippines and Taiwan.

The first recorded mention of Rum comes from Barbados, in about 1650. They were originally called "kill-devil" or "rumbullion" and later on, simply Rum.

Scotch

Schnapps is an alcoholic beverage that can be a distilled fruit brandy, a herbal liqueur, infusions and flavoured liqueurs, made by infusing fruit syrups, spices or artificial flavourings to a neutral grain spirit.

Schnapps in German means a strong alcoholic drink and it's usually a 60-80 proof (30% - 40% ABV) beverage.

Butterscotch Schnapps is a Schanpps made by infusing butter and brown sugar in grain spirit, and is designed to taste just like butterscotch caramels and are used in creating sweet cocktails and shots. It is usually 30–42 proof (15% – 21% ABV ) and is weaker than other Schnapps.

The most famous Butterscotch Schnapps is Dekuyper Buttershot Schnapps.

Scotch Whisky or simply Scotch is one of the most famous traditional whisky, the other being Irish Whiskey, Canadian Whisky, American Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey, Japanese Whisky and Australian Whisky.

Just like in Ireland ( Uisce Beatha ), the Scottish word for Whisky is a derivative of the Scottish Gaelic word Uisge Beatha, meaning the Water of Life.

Scotch Whiskey is a Geographically Identified Product and there are regulations that has to be met for a Whisky to be labeled a Scotch Whisky.

Traditionally Scotch Whisky is made from malted barley, but there had been deviation and variations too. A distinctive characteristic of a Scotch Whisky is drying of the malted barley over a peat fire, that attributes a smoky aroma to the Whisky. post distillation, maturation or aging is done in oak barrels previously used for bourbon whiskey, Sherry, Wine, Fortified Wine, Rum and other Spirits. This Aging process that spans years is the largest contributing factor that impact the flavour of the Whisky.

To be labeled a Scotch, a Whisky has to be pass several guidelines and production standards designed by the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009.

• 1. Comprises a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40% (80 US proof)
• 2. Contains no added substances, other than water and plain (E150A) caramel colouring
• 3. Is produced at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been:
  • 3.1 Converted at that distillery to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems
  • 3.2 Distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8% (190 US proof)
  • 3.3 Fermented at that distillery only by adding yeast
  • 3.4 Processed at that distillery into a mash
• 4. Is wholly matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres (185 US gal; 154 imp gal) for at least three years
• 5. Retains the colour, aroma, and taste of the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation

Butterscotch Liqueur is a rich delicious liqueur that tastes like melted butterscotch, tastes of melted butter and brown sugar. It is a clear liqueur, it is scrumptious and it's rich taste makes it a versatile mixer for cocktails.

Butterscotch Liqueur is made by infusing butter and brown sugar in grain spirit, and is designed to taste just like butterscotch caramels and are used in creating sweet cocktails and shots. It is usually 30–42 proof (15% – 21% ABV ).

Glayva Scotch Liqueur is an immensely popular Scottish liqueur made with Whisky, honey, spices, almonds and tangerines. The liqueur has a very distinctive and pleasant taste and is smooth and sweet. The taste leaves a hint of cinnamon and spices.

Vodka

Vodka is an European clear distilled alcoholic drink that has been one of the most popular drinks across the world .

You'll find it to be the most popular spirit in drink making because of it's neutral taste and absence of flavour and colour.

Vodka often replaces Gin in many traditional cocktails

Vodka is known to be good for the heart, and if consumed in moderation, can prove to be good for cardiovascular health

Note that these days there are flavoured Vodka available in the market too, and some cocktails do make use of them.

Whiskey

Whisky or Whiskey is a distilled alcohol, characterised by the process of distillation of the fermented malted and un-malted grain mash.

Different grains that can be malted are used for different varieties, grains like barley, corn, rye and wheat are the most commonly used . The distilled liquor is aged in wooden casks, often in old aged sherry casks or casks made of charred white oak.

For several reasons, historical, trade and linguistic, Whisky is those that have been produced in Scotland, Canada, Australia or Japan, while Whiskey are those that have been produced in Ireland or America, it's Whiskey

Read more on Whisky or Whiskey in this article.