Things That “Lurk”

How do spirits achieve their flavor, aroma and texture? Usually, it's as a direct result of ingredients and the production process. The smokiness of some whiskeys and mezcals is a good example of this. Sometimes, though, there's a little something extra involved that's not on the label.

Let's meet one of them: glycerol, aka, glycerin, glycerine or E-422, if you want to be on a first-name basis. It's all around us — from health and beauty aids to food and drink, including spirits.

Why put glycerol in spirits? It smooths out rough edges by adding a touch of sweetness and viscosity to liquor. Think of it as spirits makers' version of “soft focus.” Remember the last time you had an especially smooth, viscousy, slightly sweet grain-based spirit? That thick mouth feel was probably the work of our multi-tasking lurker, glycerol.

Glycerol is an alcohol by-product of soapmaking and is also created during the transformation of vegetable oil into fuel. Because it's odorless, colorless, free of flavor — i.e., hard to detect — it’s an ideal “lurker” additive. See if you can spot it in some of your high-end spirits.

Things That “Lurk” is an occasional series on spirits additives