There is a difference between having a few drinks to satisfy a craving on an informal occasion and drinking good wine or toasting with an exquisite liquor on a very special occasion.
For today, we will leave wines aside to focus on liquors, exploring most expensive liquors around and recommending superb options to raise your glass during unforgettable moments
What is liquor?
Liquors, sometimes called spirits, are alcoholic beverages that are primarily obtained by fermenting grains and fruits. They are obtained by maceration, infusion, or distillation, and have an alcoholic content of more than 15%, though some even exceed 60%. Spirits often have a high alcohol content and should be consumed in small amounts. Some of the most popular spirits are whiskey, vodka, rum, tequila, cognac, brandy, and gin.
In ancient times, liquor was associated with medicine. Some writings attribute the creation of these healing elixirs made by distilling certain herbs and plants to Hippocrates and other wise men of his time. Later, after the Black Death, the production of these “medicinal remedies” boomed, and knowledge about distillation became more abundant. And later, under the rule of Henry II, France became the powerhouse of the liquor industry.
Today, the range of liquor flavors and aromas is extremely wide, and depending on their characteristics, they can be enjoyed alone or mixed in cocktails and other drinks.
What is the difference between wine and liquor?
The most important difference is the way they are produced and the amount of alcohol they contain.
Wine is produced by fermenting grape juice to convert its sugar into alcohol, and generally has an alcohol content of 9 to 16%, depending on the type of grape and the fermentation process.
Liquor, on the other hand, is produced through the distillation of a mixture of ingredients, which can include grains, fruits, herbs, and spices. During the distillation process, the liquid is heated and vaporized, then condensed into a more concentrated liquid that contains more alcohol than the original mixture.
Perhaps the main difference between wine and liquor is their taste and use. Wine (red, white, rosé, and sparkling) has a wide range of nuances and is commonly consumed with meals or as a socializing drink. Liquor is stronger in flavor and is used as an aperitif or in cocktails.
What are the most expensive liquors?
Tequilas, cognacs, vodkas, and some whiskeys. The highest-priced whiskeys in the world are so priced for the quality, the decanter, the rarity, and the exquisiteness of the drink. Here are four examples with their approximate price:
- Isabella’s Islay: $6.2 million per bottle. The decanter is adorned with over 8,500 diamonds and 300 rubies.
- Tequila Ley .925 Pasión Azteca: $3.5 million dollars per bottle. The decanter weighs 17 lb, 5 of which are all platinum, and 4,100 white diamonds embedded in ceramic.
- Diva Vodka: $1 million per bottle. In their distillation process, they use diamond sand and other precious stones that are later placed in the center of each bottle.
- Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne: $2 million per bottle. The decanter is made of 18-carat white gold and sterling silver, encrusted with a total of 2,800 naturally cut precious stones (1,400 sapphires and 1,400 rubies).
Eight liquors for luxurious toasting
1. Tequila Tesla
It is an exclusive 100% premium agave añejo created in small batches and sustainably sourced. It contains 40% alcohol and is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. It bares notes of dried fruit, light vanilla, and a balanced finish of cinnamon and pepper.
2. Don Julio 70
Don Julio 70 Cristalino is the first clear vintage tequila in the world, created for the 70th anniversary of the manufacture of tequila by its founder Don Julio González. Don Julio 70 is double distilled and aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels, then carefully charcoal filtered to restore the agave flavor found in Tequila Blanco.
3. Tequila Komos
Komos Añejo Cristalino is aged for a minimum of 1 year in French oak white wine barrels and then charcoal filtered to create a stunning crystalline presentation. Tasting Panel magazine has rated Komos as having the highest valued portfolio of tequila in history, with the first and only rating of 100 points. Komos is distributed in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and is the flagship brand of parent company CKBG (Casa Komos Brands Group).
4. Brandy Torres Alta Luz
Torres Alta Luz is made in Barcelona, 100% from grapes. Transparent with brilliant flashes of light, it is the first crystalline brandy in history.
Rémy Martin XO is already a flagship cognac, expertly combining up to 400 different eaux-de-vie. The art of mixing by the cava master allows this liquor to express all its aromatic complexity.
6. Johnnie Walker Blonde
Johnnie Walker Blonde is a Scotch whiskey created to be mixed, therefore it is smooth and refreshing. It is the newest member of the Johnnie Walker family, with a modern and vibrant profile. It has subtle fruity notes and a smooth vanilla finish. It is normally mixed with lemon soda, lots of ice, and a lemon wedge.
7. Blue Label Ghost and Rare
Johnnie Walker Blue Label – Ghost & Rare Pittyvaich is an exceptional Scotch whiskey made from some of the rarest casks drawn from the now closed Pittyvaich ‘ghost’ distillery.
8. Macallan 12 Años Triple Cask
The Macallan Triple Cask matured for 12 years is part of the Triple Cask Matured line, which is a series of single malt whiskeys made in a combination of three barrels: European and American oak barrels that have previously housed sherry, and American oak barrels that previously contained bourbon. This complex combination of oak barrels lends an extraordinarily smooth and delicate character, bursting with citrus, vanilla, and fresh oak.
These are eight excellent liquor options for a special toast, and if you prefer pair that with the best haute cuisine in Guadalajara, check out our guide to the 10 best restaurants in Guadalajara: you will surely find several of these liquors at these establishments.
