“Spirits” and “liquor” currently carry quite different associations. “Liquor” has many negative implications; it calls to mind “liquored up,” alcoholism, and winos carrying paper bags with bottles of fortified wine inside. “Spirits,” on the other hand, calls to mind the clink of glasses raised in a toast, and that sound itself evokes pleasant, warm images and feelings—an unspoken but all-knowing affirmation and connection between people.
