| By :
Mark Etinger
It's a common misconception that keeping kosher severely limits your choices in alcohol. In fact, kosher wines and spirits are available in a greater variety than ever before. Let's take a look at some of your options for kosher liquor and wine: Mevushal and Non-Mevushal Kosher Wines Under Orthodox law, a wine is only considered kosher if it has only been manufactured by Sabbath-observant Jews (excluding the growing and harvesting process). This applies not only to the production and bottling of wine, but the handling as well; if a bottle of wine is poured by a non-observant waiter, for example, it is no longer kosher. Thus, it's easy to run into difficulty at Jewish weddings and other events staffed by non-observant servers but requiring kosher wines. Mevushal wine is the exception to this rule. It is heated during production and after this point will not lose its kosher status if handled by a non-observant person. Once upon a time, critics turned up their noses at mevushal kosher wines, which were traditionally boiled, a process that destroys a large amount of tannins and flavors in the wine. Modern mevushal kosher wines, however, are heated through a process called flash pasteurization, which is both faster than boiling and requires lower temperatures, thus preserving almost all of the original flavors. Since flash pasteurization was developed, mevushal kosher wines have come a long way toward matching the quality of non-mevushal products. Among other brands, Herzog wine produces a wide variety of mevushal kosher wines. If you are preparing for an Orthodox event, mevushal wine is always a safe bet. For home use, however, it's best to experiment with mevushal and non-mevushal kosher wines and find the specific varietals and regions you enjoy. Try a discount liquor store for affordable options of both preparations. Kosher Bourbon, Vodka, and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Some of the best single malt scotch and small batch bourbon is actually kosher liquor. Single malt scotch whiskey is kosher in its own right, however it loses its kosher status when aged in casks once used for sherry. Thus, it's important to check the label for mentions sherry or dual/double finishes. Many kosher liquor stores feature large collections of single malt scotch whiskey, including discount liquors and more rare vintages. The subtleties of flavors available are amazing, meaning no two batches are alike. American whiskeys of all kinds are classified as kosher, as they are aged exclusively in oak barrels. This includes bourbon, rye, Tennessee, and Kentucky whiskeys. This makes small batch bourbon safe for kosher liquor gift sets, which can also be packed with kosher wines and snacks. Ideal for mixed drinks or to be consumed plain, vodka is another potentially kosher liquor. In general, domestic, non-flavored vodka made from grain or potatoes is kosher. Imported and flavored bottles are trickier, and it's always best to check for a certification label. However, certain imported, non-flavored vodka brands are always considered kosher, including Absolut, Belvidere, Grey Goose, Kettle One, and Stolichnaya.
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