Cognac / Armagnac / Brandy / Eau-de-Vie / Calvados
(this is an article on Brandy as its Chinese New Year, I'm sure Brandy will be consumed a lot over the next few days)

Eau de Vie / Calvados
Origin: France
Proof: 80 % - 100 %
Raw material: Various Fruits

A spirit distilled from a fermented mash of fruits of i.e. grapes, pears or apples are the most popular, this is a basic description of an Eau de Vie. Eau de Vie is French for “water of Life” The Fruit is first fermented in to a wine and then distilled and only the middle part of the distillation is used. The head is the first vapours to condense are discarded and tails the later vapours are also discarded as they contain methanol, propanol and butanol. all distillers are looking only for ethanol

This spirit is clear after distillation and after distillation only water is added to reduce alcohol no added sugar or colourings is allowed. Between distillation and bottling they won’t be aged for any significant time just rested.
Eau de Vie's are not liqueurs because they are not a base spirit with added with sugar or fruit juice and they are not a Brandy because they are not aged.

Hint “A very strong spirit and very delicious, drink as you would any distilled spirit”

Famous Eau de Vie
Most popular Eau de Vie's are Poire(pear), Framboise(raspberry), Kirsch(cherry), Peche(peach), Pomme(apple), Miabelle(plum) and grappa and Marc are forms of Eau de Vie.

My own favourite Eau de Vie
My favourite Eau de Vie is Pomme de Prisonaire A Calvados from France.