A broad family of distilled agave products whose identity is established by raw material and production, rather than a single protected regional name. Expressions can emphasize green vegetation, cooked plant, fruit, fermentation or wood. A restrained example is not necessarily less representative than an intensely aromatic one.
A mezcal category with wide sensory scope: cooked agave, fruit, herbs, earth and smoke can appear in different proportions. A well-described example communicates those proportions rather than relying on “smoky” as a complete tasting note.
A western Mexican agave spirit with potentially vivid fruit, herbal, earthy and mineral-like impressions. Its range includes substantial differences among producers and regions. Smoke can be present, but it should not be used as the category's defining sensory requirement.
A clear Peruvian grape spirit whose expression ranges from relatively restrained and structured to intensely floral and fruity. Grape selection and whether the must completes fermentation before distillation are central distinctions. Oak flavour is outside the intended protected identity.
A Bolivian grape spirit best known internationally through clear, aromatic Muscat expressions. Floral, grape and citrus associations can be prominent while the palate remains dry. It offers an expressive unwooded alternative within the wider brandy family without being interchangeable with pisco.
A grape-derived distillate presented without oak maturation, allowing grape, floral and fermentation character to remain central. Depending on variety and distillation, it may be delicate and restrained or notably aromatic. It should not be judged as an unfinished version of an aged brandy.
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A gin style in which botanicals beyond juniper receive conspicuous attention. Citrus, flowers, herbs or spices may lead the first impression. The range is intentionally broad, and a contemporary profile need not be sweet, coloured or weak in flavour.
A high-strength gin whose botanical expression may be concentrated, forceful and persistent. Juniper, citrus and spice can remain vivid after dilution. Higher alcohol is the defining threshold, however, and does not automatically establish greater botanical concentration or better quality.
A gin style often associated with a rounded botanical profile and some sweetness, although ADI also includes botanically sweet or particularly intense examples. Wood treatment is optional. The family should not be reduced to a fixed sugar level or a universal barrel-aged appearance.
A grain-and-juniper spirit inspired by genever traditions but made outside the relevant protected geographical framework. Depending on the proportion and character of grain distillate, it may be softly cereal-led, robustly malty or relatively light, with juniper and other botanicals providing a second aromatic layer.
