The Explainer

Making a Modern Classic by Dan Gregory

Explainer: what is Irish whiskey, and how is it made?

Explainer: here’s what you need to know about liqueurs

Evan Stroeve: the problem with using native ingredients

What is sherry? Here’s how to mix it, how it’s made and more

What is vanilla? Where it’s grown, how it’s made — and how to find the good stuff

The history of rum in five minutes

What is a solera? How fractional blending works for sherry, rum, awamori and more

Aged tequila: a look at the rules for añejo and extra añejo tequila

What is anise? It’s in pastis, anis, and absinthe — here’s what you need to know

In search of sotol: on the hunt for the spirit made from the Desert Spoon

The Scotch whisky rules: within the rules, there’s still room to surprise