Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey Bourbon Whiskey

American's don't need to be lectured on Bourbon, but still, let's put it in record like all other spirits. A Bourbon in American spirit is a barrel-aged distilled liquor made primarily from corn. The name might have been derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, or from Bourbon County in Kentucky, or Bourbon Street in New Orleans, both named after the French Dynasty.

Technically, most whiskey made in America are legally classified as Bourbon, although Bourbon is in spirit a Southern Whiskey with special connection to Kentucky. Note than although Tennessee Whiskey is classified as Bourbon, Tennessee distilleries do not prefer their whiskey to be unique and referred to as Tennessee Whiskey only.

Distilling came to Kentucky in the late 18rth Century with the Scots, Scot-Irish and other settlers including English, Welsh, German and French, and they brought with them their distilling techniques and ageing processes in charred oak barrels. The charring is what gives the Bourbon the brownish colour and distinctive taste.

To be a legal Bourbon, a whiskey has to meet the following criteria

Produced in the United States and Territories (Puerto Rico) and the District of Columbia
Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
Aged in new, charred oak containers
Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume)
Entered into the container for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume)
Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume)

Mezcal

Mezcal is a Mexican distilled alcoholic beverage made from the succulent plant Maguey, Maguay includes Genus Agave ( of which the Blue Agave of Tequila fame is part ) , Genus Furcraea and Maguey Flowers.

So technically a Tequila is a Mezcal. Mezcal is probably a product of Spanish conquest, the native agave fermented beers like pulque were what introduced the Spaniards to the Agave plant and with their experience of centuries of producing distilled liquor, they started producing Mezcal from different varities of Maguey. The word MEzcal comes from Nahuatl ( Aztec language ) word mexcalli, which means "oven-cooked agave".

Mezcal is 40% - 55% , 80 to 100 US Proof. IT is clear to golden in colour with a sweet, fruity, earthly and smoky flavour and is usually drank straight.

Cinnamon Schnapps

Cinnamon Schnapps is a Schnapps liqueur, it is sweet and syrupy with hot spicy undertones. Some brands like GOLDSCHLAGER adds gold flakes to the liqueur. Cinnamon Schnapps can be enjoyed as shot or sipped from a rock glass, and is part of several popular cocktails.