According to the EU Spirits Regulation, an alcoholic beverage that is intended for human consumption, has special sensory properties and has an alcohol content of at least 15% by volume (the exception is egg liqueur with only 14%). Depending on the spirits category, production takes place either directly by distillation (distillation) from naturally fermented products and/or by maceration (maceration) of plant substances in ethanol (pure alcohol) and/or in distillates. It can also be produced by mixing spirits, ethanol and other beverages. All alcoholic ingredients must be of agricultural origin.
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