Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
So, there are a few key differences between vodka and gin, and we like to think of them as cousins – similar but by no means the same. All the more reason to invest plenty of time in sampling both, in the name of further research! One thing we do recommend is that you compare quality with quality, so step this way to add a bottle of Sing Gin to your repertoire. Both gin and vodka can be made out of just about anything, but some common bases are corn, wheat, rye, potato, grapes, and sorghum. Other possibilities include carrots, beets, and even milk. Gin and vodka are usually served differently – gin tends to be served at room temperature and vodka is chilled, served in a frozen glass. Gin works very well when chilled, though – we wrote a post all about it!
As craft gin makers we’re proud to say we know this subject inside and out, so read on for our guide to gin vs. vodka… What is vodka made from? The same exact corn "vodka" can be called whiskey it is comes out at the 95% ABV and then is placed in oak barrels. Note that I wrote "placed" and not "aged" in oak. Whiskey has no age requirement, so the "white whiskeys" you see that do not read "moonshine" have at least touched oak. If you see that the label reads "moonshine whiskey", it has touched oak too, if it just reads "moonshine" and has not ever touched an oak barrel, then technically is it strong grain vodka, but "moonshine" sounds more renegade I suppose. Corn "vodka" that comes out of the still at 96%ABV or higher, but doesn't touch oak is still Vodka, but technically could also be called "Moonshine". The launch of NE10 Vodka was in late August and the interim injunction was sought on 16 September 2022 but even in this short period of time the court felt that NE10 Vodka had established a working trade that would be wrong to unravel. This case shows how important it is for brands to monitor the market and take action promptly to prevent the launch of an allegedly infringing product before it is on the market. Gin is a liquor with some level of juniper flavor that’s bottled at at least 40 percent alcohol by volume. The U.S. government defines gin as a liquid “produced by distillation or mixing of spirits with juniper berries and other aromatics or extracts.”Dizziness comes from the long chain fusel oil(s) (alcohols) in fermented alcohol. Fusel oil alcohols are not present in surgical alcohol. All fusel oil alcohols boil off at a different, slightly higher temperature than ethanol (drinking alcohol). Sloppy or rushed distilling gets the higher temperature fusel oil alcohols coming over with the ethanol. Really sloppy and very rushed distilling gets the first run methyl alcohol, methanol . . . which causes permanent eyesight loss. Long chain alcohols cause much of the hangover effect of headaches. The court proposed to proceed "on the common sense basis that generally, consumers are not in the habit of making assumptions about the origin of products on the basis of the shape of goods in the absence of any graphic or word element." The word/graphic elements on the respective bottles: Au79 and NE10 would therefore be taken into account in establishing Au Vodka's reputation (the foundation for misrepresentation) with the name 'Au' and the gold coloured bottle the most significant features. Vodka is known for its smooth mouthfeel, with ‘clean’ vodkas (meaning they don’t linger on the palate), favoured because they make for a crisp sensation when consumed as a shot. Any other differences? Close, but there are differences! Gin, like vodka, is distilled from a natural product, such as wheat, potatoes or barley, (or Spanish grapes, in Sing Gin’s case!) The main difference is that gin must always contain juniper. As well as the base ingredient, it’s the nuanced botanicals that define one gin from another – but they all have that crucial juniper in common. If you want to know more about what gin is made from, pour yourself a glass (for educational purposes) and have a read of our post all about it. Moonshine was made a lot in the mountains because of the inaccessibility of where the mountain-folk would hide the Stills and the abundance of fresh mountain springs. They could also make the moonshine high proof to maximize cost/drunk ratio (I know it sounds close minded but not a ton of reasons to buy high proof alcohol).
We’ve mentioned above that the two drinks originate from different parts of the world. As with all crop-derived food and drink, the very soil in which plants are grown can affect the flavour of the finished product. In places where moonshine has been legalized I would not consider it moonshine anymore as that just means they have allowed the distillers to bottle after any time they want in the processes instead of giving a set time for minimum distillation .
The verdict: Vodkas
The trial, directed by the court to be as early as possible in the term starting in January 2023, is eagerly awaited. Most whiskey is fermented from either all-corn, or corn and an other grain (like rye), but there are some boutique type whiskeys that use other grains like quinoa, spelt, flax, etc. Technically any grain can be used to make whiskey, but it doesn't become "whiskey" until it has been placed in an oak barrel. There are only a few other "rules" like the proof at which it is distilled. Whiskey has to come out of the still at 95% ABV (190 Proof) and then cut with water to nothing lower than 40% ABV (i.e. 80 Proof or higher).
Distilled: Juniper berries and other aromatics are added to a fermented mash and distilled all together.
Classic Gin and Vodka Cocktails
Turning to the Jif Lemon passing off case, the court considered the three elements required to prove passing off of goodwill, misrepresentation and damage. It noted that "at the heart of passing off lies deception or its likelihood, deception of the ultimate consumer in particular".
Fittingly, the word “vodka” comes from the Russian word for water, “voda.” Vodka isn’t the only clear spirit, of course. There are also cachaça, rum, soju, and others. What sets vodka apart is that it can be made anywhere, and from many things. Medical Grade (surgical alcohol) = 95% Alcohol (getting that last 0.57% is very time consuming to achieve) Following the unsuccessful application, NE10 Vodka filed their defence on 17 October 2022. In their defence they adopt the position that it is common in the trade for vodka to be sold in tall elongate bottles, that 'Au' and the gold colour are the dominant and distinctive component of the getup, that upper and lower plates are common on bottles, and that NE10 Vodka sourced the bottles in China and the shape was available “off the shelf". They claim there is no deception. Liquor is measured in proof which is just 2x the alcohol % listed - 40% Vodka is 80Proof. There is not commercial grade 200 proof moonshine mainly because of physics.Yeasts produce fusel oils when they struggle to produce higher percentage alcohol levels in wines and beers. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Au Vodka's claim has been pleaded based on passing off. This is definitely the key right to plead in this case, but it is arguable that Cofemel may also be triggered here. It is recognised that as part of retained EU law, Cofemelprovides for the protection of any 'identifiable' work of applied art using only the ‘author’s own intellectual creation’ originality test. Remember—first instance courts are bound by retained EU case law; the Court of Appeal may depart from it for good reason while the Supreme Court is not bound by it at all. Gin can be broken down into five basic styles. There’s London Dry, which is devoid of all sweetness; Plymouth Gin, which must be made in Plymouth, England; Old Tom gin, which is a little sweeter; Navy Strength, which is 57 percent alcohol by volume or higher; and American or West Coast gin, which is usually more herbal.
Great Deal 
New Comment