Aguardiente

Aguardiente (Spanish) is the generic name for spirits between 40 and 45 percent alcohol by volume. The name comes from the Spanish words agua (= water ) and ardiente ( = burning) together. These are obtained by distillation from wine, cereal, fruit or seeds, for example, anise, grapes or cherries.

In Colombia, aguardiente is meant by a shot of anise and sugar cane, which moves to 29 percent by volume. The rights to the burning of the aguardientes lie in the departments ( provinces ), marketing must however be nationwide. For several years, aguardiente is except in glass bottles sold in tetra packs at 0.25 and 1 liter to reduce the risk of injury and to prevent empty containers that are filled with selbstgebranntem alcohol and sold as aguardiente. Some varieties are also available in plastic bottles. Due to the variety of tastes of aguardiente market in Colombia is highly competitive. With new creations such as Light- aguardiente or additionally flavored varieties producers try to defend their market shares.

Some known Aquardiente brands are:

• Antioqueño from Antioquia
• Blanco del Valle, Valle del Cauca
• Cristal Caldas
• Doble Anís ( Huila )
• Lider ( Boyacá )
• Llanero (Meta)
• Nariño ( Nariño )
• Nectar ( Cundinamarca )
• Quindiano ( Quindio )
• Superior ( Santander)
• Tapa Roja ( Tolima)

Credentials

• Spirit