Which of the following best describes the first step in the spirit production process?

The process of spirit production begins with the processing of raw materials, which involves preparing the ingredients that will be used in fermentation. This step typically includes selecting and, if necessary, milling or grinding the raw materials such as grains, fruits, or sugar sources. Proper preparation ensures that the raw materials can be effectively fermented later on.

During fermentation, yeast converts sugars into alcohol, which is a subsequent step, and distillation is a further process that concentrates the alcohol produced during fermentation. Thus, while both fermentation and distillation are critical stages, they occur after the initial step of processing the raw materials. By understanding this sequence, one can appreciate how each phase builds upon the previous one in the production of spirits.