Yeast Fermentation for Production of Neutral Distilled Spirits

The production of neutral distilled spirits is increasing worldwide due to the popularity of beverages such as vodka and gin. Yeast fermentation lies at the heart of such production, but there are salient differences between the yeast strains employed for neutral spirits, as compared to those used in whisky, rum, and brandy fermentation. For example, the former white spirit processes aim to minimise the synthesis of flavour-active volatile compounds (or congeners), whilst the opposite is true for more flavoursome brown spirits such as whisky. This paper describes the raw materials, yeasts, and fermentation conditions involved in neutral spirit production processes and discusses challenges and opportunities in such technology, including exciting new developments regarding strategies to improve yeast strains.