Why do you personally think they call it spirits?!
Answers: To over-simplify things, all spirits are distilled products made from a "must" of fruit-based fermentables (brandies) or a "mash" of grain-based fermentables(whiskies, vodka, etc.). The must or mash are then fermented to make a rough wine or beer before distillation. The distillation process takes the "spirit" of the drink and leaves the "body" behind.
cause when you get drunk, you see things.. ie: spirits
It is distilled like methylated sprits (Methanol and Ethanol combined).
Because when you drink you feel lighter and more floaty (is that even a word) than when you are not drinking. You feel closer to the spirit world than whn you don't drink. Like when you smoke peyote, marijuana and other opiate type inhalents. That is why they said you had to smoke them. to get your spirit dreams.
Personally I feel the name spirits has come about because you distill a fermented alcolic drink of some sort and concentrate the alcohol.
In a way you are taking the spirit(the part that gets you drunk) and leaving the rest behind.
Thus the distilate is the spirits of the beverage that has been distilled.
Ask me when I'm drunk and I'll put up a pretty good argument:)
In the distillerys of Scotland(Glenffich) the put product in barrels and varpors from barrel leak into air like clouds? spirits? some call them casting angels.. also during distilling they release same vapors in the process of it the fumes are what makes it stong...
caveman is rite that is how it got started but for my self i call them spirits because thy hunted me for so long like an evil spirit