The Definitive Global Reference

Every drink.
Every country.
Every answer.

The most complete, structured, authoritative knowledge resource on alcohol ever assembled — sourced exclusively from official regulatory bodies and peer-reviewed research. Free. Unbiased. For every person on earth.

 ·  Sources: OIV · SWA · TTB · FSSAI · EU 2019/787 and all major regulatory bodies
Browse by category

Every type of alcohol, documented

Select any category to explore every drink within it — from the most famous expressions to the rarest traditional varieties.

Professional Reference

Built for bartenders.
Neutral. Complete. Free.

Unlike every brand education programme, this codex has no commercial interest in any product. Every drink. Every combination with measurements. Every certification programme. From your first shift to Master Sommelier.

Bartender's guide →
Knowledge layers

More than just what's in the bottle

Laboratory glassware and scientific equipment
Science & Process
Fermentation, Distillation & Maturation
The chemistry behind every drink — from yeast converting sugar to ethanol, to the Maillard reactions inside a charred barrel.
 Students in an educational setting
Education Programmes
Every Formal Qualification, Globally
WSET, CMS, Cicerone, BJCP, IBD, Heriot-Watt — every alcohol certification programme worldwide, with full contact details and how to register.
 Various whisky and wine glasses arranged
Glassware
The Science of the Glass
Why bowl shape changes what you smell. The Glencairn, the Burgundy bowl, the Coupe — every documented glass with the sensory research behind it.
 Fine dining food and wine pairing
Food Pairing
The Chemistry of What Works Together
Not opinion — the documented science. Tannin-protein interaction, acidity as a palate cleanser, fat and carbonation. Sourced from peer-reviewed research.
 Ancient pottery and archaeological artefacts
History
From Jiahu (7000 BCE) to Today
The oldest fermented drink ever discovered to the craft distillery revolution. Every turning point documented with named sources.
 Laboratory safety testing equipment
Safety
Adulteration, Methanol & How to Detect It
The public health layer. What methanol is, why it appears in illicit spirits, official detection protocols, and every documented incident globally — sourced from official records.
How this codex is written

Three levels. Every page. No placeholders.

Every entry is written completely at all three levels — for the curious first-timer, the developing professional, and the specialist.

Curious
Plain language. The surprising thing first. No jargon without explanation. A reader who knows absolutely nothing finishes this level and says: "I finally understand what this is."
Exploring
How it is made. The classification system. Producing regions globally and what distinguishes them. Real numbers. How to read the label. What the regulatory framework actually requires.
Deep Dive
The full chemistry at a molecular level. The actual legal text. Every sub-category's precise specification. Named papers, named researchers, named institutions. Nothing missing.
What this codex is: Documentation of knowledge from named official regulatory bodies, standards organisations, and peer-reviewed research. What this codex is not: Medical advice, legal advice, a recommendation of any kind, or a retail platform. What is described on every page is what the named source documents — not what this site recommends. This site accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on content read here. Full disclaimer →