If you are looking to read up on the different kinds of liquor and to know a little more about liquor basics, online resources offer a plethora of information to get you started on becoming an expert on your favorite distilled spirits. There are many types of hard liquor and even more liquor brands. Narrowing your search for liquor information down to three of the main types of distilled spirits will go a long way to getting you the information you want.

To find out more about your favorite hard liquor you should first decide which type you want to focus on. Consider these ideas when deciding:

1. Learn about rum and the liquor producers that make it.

2. Look to online resources that have a lot of information on distilled spirits like vodka.

3. Seek out liquor information resources that can give you the history of whiskey.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out rum if you're looking for liquor that is good to mix with other things

Rum is a spirit that liquor producers create by distilling fermented sugar and water. There are five types of rum: spiced rum, dark rum, golden rum, añejo and age-dated rums. The classification of rum depends on its age, color, body and flavor. The center of the rum world is the Caribbean as just about every island group has its own liquor brands.

I recommend: This very informative article on the Tastings website gives a quick, yet comprehensive look at the history of rum and the different countries that make it. Check out DrinksMixer.com if you are looking to buy liquor and want to know the different brand names of rum or if you’re looking for any new liquor drinks to put to the test.

Read up on one of the most popular distilled spirits -- vodka

Vodka is one of the more popular distilled spirits available. While the exact history is unknown, liquor historians believe it originated from the areas of Poland or Russia. Most American vodkas are from grains like wheat or rye, but international liquor distillers sometimes make vodka from things such as beets, potatoes or grapes.

I recommend: iVodka.com is a website that contains just about everything you wanted to know about vodka. The wiseGEEK website gives a fair amount of liquor information, as well as facts regarding flavorings and percentages of alcohol.

Try a spirit such as whiskey that liquor distillers have been making for hundreds of years

Whiskey is hard liquor made from cereal grains such as corn, wheat, barley, or rye. There are four types of whiskey: United States, Scottish, Canadian and rye whiskey and each type depends on the particular grain that is used. Liquor producers age whiskey in wooden barrels and the older the whiskey, the more rare and expensive the liquor is.

I recommend: VideoJug gives a helpful “video definition” of whiskey such as the different types of whiskeys. The Quamut website has this helpful page that contains information about the history of whiskey and how to make it.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Once you have learned all about your favorite hard liquor and want to buy your liquor online, check to see if those particular liquor distributors will ship to your state. Many areas have restrictions on shipping any type of alcohol.

Liquor distributors offer many types of distilled spirits which makes it difficult to decide which types are going to be the most profitable for your bar. Carefully consider your hard liquor purchases to turn the expense of purchasing distilled spirits into profits.

Every bar needs the basic "well" liquor. Well drinks are mixed drinks in which the customer doesn't specify which type of liquor she wants in her drink. These are the least expensive of all the liquor brands your bar or restaurant caries and includes gin, vodka, tequila, rum and whiskey. After you've chosen your inexpensive liquor, it's time to decide which expensive liquor brands you want to offer. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Don't try to follow every hard liquor trend. It will only result in higher expenses and lower profits.

2. Consider buying liquor and supplies for your bar from online liquor stores. Before buying liquor online, be sure that it's legal in your state.

3. Choose to focus on one main type of liquor like vodka or single malt scotch. This allows you to develop a niche in your local market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for local liquor distributers in your area

Local liquor distributors service many bars and restaurants in your area and they know which liquor brands are the most popular (and the most profitable) for other local bars and restaurants.

I recommend: Use the search function at the International Beverage Network to find distributers in your area. If you already know what you want to buy, and want to get a discount price, your local Sam's Club may be the answer.

Contact liquor distillers directly about ordering their products

There are many liquor brands that are a staple of any business that serves alcoholic beverages. You may want to contact the distillery to ask about ordering directly from them.

I recommend: Jack Daniels and Absolut Vodka are two of the most popular spirits. They are necessary for any bar or restaurant.

Add to your liquor stock by purchasing liquor online from online liquor stores

Very rarely do people drink tequila other than in a Margarita or an occasional Tequila sunrise but people do drink vodka in a number of different mixed drinks. So, remember to stock more bottles of vodka than tequila because it's a faster seller and will therefore, garner you higher profits.

I recommend: Purchase liquor online from MySimon.com or buy liquor from Mission Liquors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to market your new liquor purchases. First, educate your staff on the new stock of hard liquor and then run drink specials to promote the new products.
• •  Some liquor producers may have recipes for mixes using their brand of liquor. Utilize these recipes to create popular liquor drinks for your customers.

Liquor has been around for thousands of years and, throughout time, has played an important role in religion, nutrition and even medical applications. Today people buy liquor primarily to enhance the enjoyment of life because of its ability to facilitate relaxation, reduce social anxiety and release inhibitions.

Liquor also has a negative side. Millions of Americans reportedly abuse it, thereby putting their health and welfare--as well as that of others--at risk. Binge drinking, underage drinking, driving under the influence and drinking liquor while pregnant are all examples of liquor abuse.

Whether you plan to train your employees on things they need to know about selling and serving distilled spirits, or you're looking for liquor education and training to brush up on your own knowledge, it's important to keep these things in mind:

1. Liquor is different from other types of alcohol and has its own set of rules, serving suggestions and terminology.

2. Today's liquor producers offer a large variety of liquor types and flavors--and show no signs of letting up on their ongoing quest to please every pallet.

3. All liquor laws are not created equal. Different states have different policies on buying, selling and serving liquor.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand what liquor is and how it differs from other alcohol

Although many people use the words 'liquor' and 'alcohol' interchangeably, liquor is actually one of three types of alcoholic drinks; beer and wine are the other two. Ounce for ounce, liquor is always stronger than beer or wine--sometimes as much as 10 or 12 times more potent. Hard liquor drinks are typically blended with a 'mixer' such as fruit juice, tonic water or soda, although some people drink it straight up or simply poured over ice.

I recommend: Head over to Tastings.com for an educational piece on precisely what liquor is and how it's made, measured and classified. Visit DrinksMixer.com for a virtual encyclopedia of liquor recipes, types, terminology, tips, tricks, games and even a handy downloadable widget.

Become familiar with the ever-increasing variety and selection of liquors on the market

Variations such as spiced rums, flavored vodkas and tequilas, lime-infused gins and an array of new liqueurs all have joined--and continue to join--their 'traditional' counterparts on the liquor market. As a seller or server of liquor, it's important to keep pace with current tastes, trends and liquor brands.

I recommend: You'll find a comprehensive list of liquors at LiquorAndDrink.com. The ability to search by name, category, flavor, origin, proof and brand make this list an invaluable resource for liquor education and training. Visit The Webtender for statistics such as the "Weekly Top 20" and the "All-Time Top 100" drinks. You also can ask local liquor distributors what's popular in your particular area.

Learn your state's specific liquor laws

All 50 states have a legal drinking age of 21 but, from there, laws vary widely from state to state. Some don't allow anyone under the age of 21 into liquor stores or bars; few have specific laws about minors consuming alcohol in private settings. Laws vary for those selling and serving liquor, as well.

I recommend: Alcohol Problems and Solutions has a link to each state's particular laws as well as a wealth of other educational liquor information. A list of links to federal regulations and public laws relating to the entire distilled spirits industry is available at The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because rules and regulations vary from state to state, it's a good idea to check with your state's Alcohol Control Board (ABC) to learn everything you need to know about buying, selling and serving liquor in your area. Some states offer online training courses.
• •  You don't need to attend bartending school in order to serve drinks; however, many states require that you pass an Alcohol Server Training course designed to help prevent underage drinking, drunk driving and over-consumption.