Definition of and requirements for spirit drinks
Article 2
For the purposes of this Regulation, a spirit drink is an alcoholic beverage which complies with the following requirements: (a) it is intended for human consumption; (b) it possesses particular organoleptic qualities; (c) it has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 15 %, except in the case of spirit drinks that comply with the requirements of category 39 of Annex I; (d) it has been produced either: (i) directly by using, individually or in combination, any of the following methods: — distillation, with or without added flavourings or flavouring foodstuffs, of fermented products, — the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a combination thereof, — the addition, individually or in combination, to ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks of any of the following: — flavourings used in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, — colours used in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, — other authorised ingredients used in accordance with Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008 and (EC) No 1334/2008, — sweetening products, — other agricultural products, — foodstuffs; or (ii) by adding, individually or in combination, to it any of the following: — other spirit drinks, — ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, — distillates of agricultural origin, — other foodstuffs; (e) it does not fall within CN codes 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206 and 2207; (f) if water, which may be distilled, demineralised, permuted or softened, has been added in its production: (i) the quality of that water complies with Council Directive 98/83/EC ( 15 ) and Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 16 ) ; and (ii) the alcoholic strength of the spirit drink, after the addition of the water, still complies with the minimum alcoholic strength by volume provided for in point (c) of this Article or under the relevant category of spirit drinks as set out in Annex I.