Brandy

The Layman’s Bar Guide to the Six Base Liquors You Actually Need to Know If you understand brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey, you understand the bar.

Brandy often gets lumped in with "fancy old-man drinks" or holiday snifters, but it's simpler than that: it's basically distilled wine (or other fruit) aged to add warmth, depth, and a bit of sweetness.