The term applied to strong alcoholic drinkssuch as whiskey, gin, vodka, and rumderives from alchemical traditions and beliefs. It references the process of distillation, where the spirit or essence of a substance is extracted and concentrated.
This designation is rooted in the historical practice of alchemy, which sought to isolate the quintessence or life force of matter. The process of distillation was viewed as a way to liberate this essential element, much like releasing a soul from its physical form. This concentrated essence, imbued with perceived properties of strength and vitality, was then associated with the ethereal and incorporeal, leading to the enduring label.
