What is the process called when spirits are bottled at a particular strength after dilution?

The term used for the process of bottling spirits at a particular strength after dilution is proofing. Proofing refers to adjusting the alcoholic strength of a spirit to a desired level by adding water or another liquid. This is a crucial step in the production of spirits because it ensures that the final product meets legal and labeling requirements for alcohol content and consumer preferences for taste and experience.

By proofing the spirit, producers can achieve consistency across batches and cater to different markets that may have varying tolerances or preferences for alcohol strength. It’s important for both safety and quality control in the industry.

In contrast, fermentation is the process where yeast converts sugars into alcohol, distillation is how alcohol is separated from the fermented mash by heating, and aging refers to the maturation of spirits in barrels to develop flavors. These processes occur at different stages of spirit production and do not involve the dilution or adjustment of strength that proofing entails.