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The Problem with Botanical Spirits


On the picture here you can see different botanical spirits which are offered on thewhiskyexchange.com. Don't get me wrong - I would love to try each and every single one of them.  
This is a fundamental issue - as the success of a spirit is based on its appeal to the masses, which is again directly related to the level of education. Without a common denominator a product category will not thrive.
 Here you have got completely different categories: 
  • You have got quite simplistic and straight forward "botanical vodkas" like Ketel One, which have only a couple of flavors.
  • You have got complex flavored spirits which are analog to gin - however without the use of juniper.
  • You have got spirits which are based on "non-neutral" spirits which are then redistilled with a botanicals.
  • You have got spirits with a flavorful mash which is infused and afterwards distilled.

Further there are botanical spirits which are solely cold compound spirits (neutral alcohol mixed with aromas like essential oils) and some which are "properly" distilled. 

At least there should be an important market (like the US or the EU) where controllable specifics are set, to ensure, that this category is properly categorized and can thrive on a "fact sheet". 



















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