Picture a bottle of spirits of almost any style and chances are it’s 80 proof. Several factors contribute to why such a proof has become the norm including regulations around how liquor is taxed but it also meets a threshold for optimal drinkability without making the drink taste weak. Still overproof liquors — meaning they contain more than 50 percent ABV — are becoming increasingly popular particularly in today’s cocktail world.
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Tasting the strongest alcohol in the world
Options like 151-proof rum and 114-proof Navy Strength gin are liquors you’ll even find on bar carts often complementing other ingredients in tiki drinks. Such hair-raising strengths beg the question: How potent is it going to be? Well the answer is 192 proof courtesy of Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka produced in Poland. Not far behind is the infamous Everclear along with other pure ethanol grain alcohols that clock in at just a little under 190 proof. Such liquors are nearly pure ethanol with a predominantly burnt pungent flavor. While they may contain compounds that slightly alter their alcoholic flavor it’s also a spirit that requires special precautions so it can be downright dangerous especially when tasted neat.
Such strong alcohols pose a danger especially to those who aren't aware of the risks. More than a dozen states have banned 190-proof grain alcohol and such beverages have even led to unintended deaths. A single 750-milliliter bottle — often priced under $20 — contains enough alcohol to be lethal. So unfortunately in the hands of careless drinkers such beverages can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning. Instead of typical drunkenness such a condition is characterized by confusion difficulty breathing seizures and nausea. Parts of the brain malfunction and death is possible without medical attention WebMD notes.
While not toxic in the same way as rotgut whiskey which can contain lethal concentrations of methanol such alcohol should be consumed in moderation. And it’s vital to note that such drinks are not sold for pure consumption—which is where drinkers often go wrong. Spirytus Rektyfikowany can be used in very select mixology but it’s more commonly used in herbal and fruit infusions and to make amaros and bitters in bars. Likewise neutral grain spirits are used in large-volume mixed drinks like punches and to enrich botanicals in the production of gin. And that’s not to mention the many medicinal uses of such spirits. So respect their potency and application before purchasing.
