Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method of preparing a modified distilled alcoholic spirit, comprising contacting a corresponding starting distilled alcoholic spirit with a base under conditions that cause at least one free carbonyl compound in the starting distilled alcoholic spirit to be reduced, to provide the modified distilled alcoholic spirit that has at an alcohol by volume (ABV) of at least 15%. Certain embodiments also provide a modified distilled alcoholic spirit prepared by the methods described herein.