Rectified spirit#European Union

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Rectified spirit, also known as neutral spirits, rectified alcohol or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, is highly concentrated ethanol that has been purified by means of repeated distillation in a process called rectification. In some countries, denatured alcohol or denatured rectified spirit may commonly be available as "rectified spirit", because in some countries (though not necessarily the same) the retail sale of rectified alcohol in its non-denatured form is prohibited.

The purity of rectified spirit has a practical limit of 97.2% ABV (95.6% by mass){{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9P3lGgNahvgC|title=Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing|publisher=Academic Press|others=Graham Stewart|year=2003|editor=Inge Russell|pages=180|isbn=9780080474854}} when produced using conventional distillation processes, as a mixture of ethanol and water becomes a minimum-boiling azeotrope at this concentration. However, rectified spirit is typically distilled in continuous multi-column stills at 96–96.5% ABV and diluted as necessary. Ethanol is a commonly used medical alcohol{{hsp}}{{mdash}}{{hsp}}spiritus fortis is a medical term for ethanol solutions with 95% ABV.

Neutral spirits can be produced from grains, corn, grapes, sugar beets, sugarcane, tubers, or other fermentable materials such as whey.{{Cite news|last=Zavatto|first=A.|date=31 October 2018|title=Making a Case for Whey-Based Spirits|work=SevenFifty Daily|url=https://daily.sevenfifty.com/making-a-case-for-whey-based-spirits/}} In particular, large quantities of neutral alcohol are distilled from wine and by-products of wine production (pomace, lees{{Cite book|last1=Pelsy|first1=F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ae43EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126|title=La vigne, miracle de la nature ? : 70 clés pour comprendre la viticulture|last2=Merdinoglu|first2=D.|publisher=Éditions Quae|year=2021|isbn=978-2759233311|location=Versailles|pages=126|language=fr}}). A product made from grain is "neutral grain spirit", while a spirit made from grapes is called "grape neutral spirit"{{USCFR|27|5|22|(a) Class 1}} or "vinous alcohol".{{Cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2003:076:0029:0033:EN:PDF|title=Results of sales of vinous alcohol held by public agencies|website=Official Journal of the European Union|access-date=November 25, 2018}} These terms are commonly abbreviated as either GNS or NGS.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PDk9DwAAQBAJ&q=ngs+gns+spirits&pg=PT24|publisher=Octopus Publishing|year=2018|title=The Gin Dictionary|access-date=May 8, 2019|author=David T. Smith|isbn=9781784724894}}{{Cite web|url=https://greenfield.com/commercialalcohols/|title=Commercial Alcohols|website=Greenfield.com|access-date=May 8, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://edibleaspen.ediblecommunities.com/drink/getting-bottom-whats-your-glass|title=Getting to the Bottom of What's in Your Glass|website=EdibleCommunities.com|author=Laurel Miller|date= November 30, 2017|access-date=May 8, 2019}}

Neutral spirits are used in the production of several spirit drinks, such as blended whisky, cut brandy, most gins, some liqueurs and some bitters. As a consumer product, it is generally mixed with other beverages, either to create drinks like alcoholic punch or Jello shots or to substitute for other spirits, such as vodka or rum, in cocktails.{{cite web|url=http://www.drinknation.com/ingbrowse/Everclear|title=Drink Recipe Browser: Everclear drinks|year=2010|work=Drinknation|access-date=17 November 2010}} It is also used to make home made liqueurs, such as limoncello or Crème de cassis, and in cooking because its high concentration of alcohol acts as a solvent to extract flavors.{{cite book|title=An Encyclopedia of Spirits & Liqueurs and How to Cook with Them|last=Walton|first=Stuart|author2=Norma Miller|publisher=Hermes House|year=2000|isbn=1-84215-154-1|location=London|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_1843094983}} Rectified spirit is also used for medicinal tinctures and as a household solvent. It is sometimes consumed undiluted; however, because the alcohol is so high-proof, overconsumption can cause alcohol poisoning more quickly than more traditional distilled spirits.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/spirit-state-approves-192-proof-spirytus-allowing-new-yorkers-buzz-article-1.183215|title=That's the spirit! State approves 192-proof Spirytus, allowing New Yorkers to get quite the buzz|author=Sonja Sharp|author2=Kenneth Lovett|year=2010|work=The Daily News}}

Regional

= United States =

Neutral spirit is legally defined as spirit distilled from any material distilled at or above 95% ABV (190 US proof) and bottled at or above 40% ABV. When the term is used in an informal context rather than as a term of U.S. law, any distilled spirit of high alcohol purity (e.g., 170 proof or higher) that does not contain added flavoring may be referred to as neutral alcohol.Lichine, Alexis. Alexis Lichine's New Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987), 365. Prominent brands of neutral spirits sold in the U.S. include:

Brands made by Luxco:{{cite web|url=https://www.luxco.com/beverage-category/neutral-spirits/|title=Neutral Spirits|website=Luxco official website|access-date=November 9, 2017}}
Everclear
Crystal Clear
Golden Grain
Gem Clear{{Cite news|url=https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/maryland-bans-grain-alcohol-050914.html|title=Maryland bans grain alcohol|work=ConsumerAffairs|access-date=2018-11-25|language=en}}
Graves Grain Alcohol

"Grain spirit" is a legal classification for neutral spirit that is distilled from fermented grain mash and stored in oak containers.

== Retail availability ==

Availability of neutral spirit for retail purchase varies between states.{{cite web| publisher=United States Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration| date=2017| title=Report to Congress on the prevention and reduction of underage drinking - Policy summary: High-proof grain alcoholic beverages| url=https://mediasvr.saa.icfcloud.com/ReportToCongress/2017/profile_summaries/24_high_proof_grain_alcoholic_beverages.pdf| access-date=2019-02-14}}{{cite web |author=Danae King |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-grain-alcohol-illegal-tuesday-20140630-story.html |title=Laws including high-proof grain alcohol ban take effect Tuesday |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=30 June 2014 |access-date=22 December 2018}} States where consumer sales of high-ABV neutral spirit are{{when|date=February 2019}} prohibited include California, Florida,{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0500-0599/0565/Sections/0565.07.html|title=2022 Florida Statutes: Title XXXIV, Chapter 565.07: Sale or consumption of certain distilled spirits prohibited|website=Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature|publisher=Florida Legislature|access-date=March 4, 2023}} Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,{{cite web|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=340A.506|title=2017 Minnesota Statutes: 34A.506 Sales of ethyl alcohol and neutral spirits prohibited|website=Office of the Revisor of Statutes|publisher=Minnesota Legislature|access-date=November 9, 2017}} New Hampshire, Nevada,{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-202.html#NRS202Sec065|title=Chapter 202 – Crimes against public health and safety – NRS 202.065 Sale of alcoholic beverage containing more than 80 percent of alcohol by volume|website=Nevada Legislature|access-date=November 9, 2017}} North Carolina,{{Cite web|url=http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/14287/abc-commission-to-end-sales-of-190-proof-booze/|title=ABC Commission to end sales of 190-proof booze {{!}}|website=watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-25}} Pennsylvania,{{cite web|url=http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/02/05/senate-passes-ban-of-190-proof-alcohol-products/|title=Senate Passes Ban Of 190-Proof Alcohol Products|date=February 5, 2014|website=CBS News|access-date=November 9, 2017|agency=Associated Press}} Iowa, and West Virginia. In Virginia, the purchase of neutral spirits requires a no-cost "Grain Alcohol Permit", issued "strictly for industrial, commercial, culinary or medicinal use".{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.virginia.gov/licenses/get-a-license/permits|title=Get a Permit|website=www.abc.virginia.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-11-25}} In 2017, Virginia approved the sale of up to 151 proof neutral spirits at its ABC stores without a permit.{{Cite news|url=http://wtop.com/virginia/2017/03/everclear-to-be-legal-in-virginia/|title=Everclear to be legal in Virginia {{!}} WTOP|date=2017-03-07|work=WTOP|access-date=2018-11-25|language=en-US}} Pennsylvania sells 151 proof without a permit but requires one for 190 proof.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/Product_Management/psi_ProductLocation_inter.asp?cdeNo=8357|title=Product Location|last=PLCB|website=www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us|access-date=2018-11-25}}

= European Union =

== Legal definition ==

Under EU regulations,{{Cite web|date=25 May 2021|title=Consolidated text: Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008|url=http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/787/2021-05-25}} alcohol used in the production of some spirit drinks must be "ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin", which has to comply with the following requirements:

Organoleptic properties: no detectable taste other than that of the raw materials used in its production;
minimum alcoholic strength by volume: 96.0%;
maximum levels of residues do not exceed (in grams per hectolitre of 100% vol. alcohol):
acetic acid (total acidity): 1.5;
ethyl acetate (esters): 1.3;
acetaldehyde (aldehydes): 0.5;
2-methyl-1-propanol (higher alcohols): 0.5;
methanol: 30;
nitrogen (volatile bases containing nitrogen): 0.1;
dry extract: 1.5;
furfural: not detectable.

== Germany ==

In Germany, rectified spirit is generically called Primasprit (colloquial) or, more technically, Neutralalkohol. It is available in pharmacies, bigger supermarkets, and East European markets. In the former East Germany, it was available in regular stores. Primasprit is most often used for making homemade liqueurs; other types of use are rare. Most of the Primasprit produced in Germany is made from grain and is, therefore, a neutral grain spirit.

Neutralalkohol by Lautergold and Weinhof Peschke both have an ABV of 96.6%.{{Cite web |title=Neutralalkohol in höchster Qualität |url=https://shop.lautergold.de/Neutralalkohol-96-6-vol./350071 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Lautergold |language=de-DE}}{{Cite web |title=Ethanol - 96,6% vol. Neutralalkohol |url=https://www.weinhof-peschke.de/produkt/desinfektionsmittel-ethanol-966-vol-neutralalkohol/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Weinhof Peschke |language=de-DE}}

==Poland==

Spirytus Rektyfikowany made by Polmos is the most notable brand with 96% ABV,{{Cite web |last=Waters |first=Michael |date=2020-04-24 |title=This legendary Polish liquor will leave germs (and you) woozy |url=https://thehustle.co/04242020-liquor-spirytus-rektyfikowany |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=thehustle.co |language=en}} while in fine and luxury cases, increases to 96.5% ABV.{{Cite book |last1=Kołożyn-Krajewska |first1=Danuta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZICCh6Yj5t8C&dq=spirytus+rektyfikowany+96&pg=PA242 |title=Towaroznawstwo żywności |last2=Sikora |first2=Tadeusz |publisher=Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne |year=2007 |isbn=978-83-02-09150-6 |edition=Wyd. 7 |location=Warszawa |pages=242 |language=pl}} It is often claimed to be the strongest liquor in the world.{{Cite web |last=Rhodes |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-01-12 |title=These Are the World's Strongest Spirits |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/worlds-strongest-liquors |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}} Spirytus Delikatesowy by Polmos is at 95% ABV. Spirytus Luksusowy by Dębowa Polska is at 96.5% ABV.{{Cite web |title=Spirytus Luksusowy |url=https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/19621/spirytus-luksusowy-debowa-polska |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=The Whiskey Exchange}}

== Norway ==

The import{{cite web|url=https://www.toll.no/en/goods/alcohol-and-tobacco/quotas/|title=Alcohol and tobacco quotas|publisher=Directorate of Norwegian Customs|access-date=26 August 2017}} and sale{{cite web|url=https://lovdata.no/lov/1989-06-02-27/§8-13|title=Lovdata (in Norwegian)|access-date=26 August 2017}} of spirits containing more than 60% alcohol by volume is prohibited, so only weaker grain spirits are permitted.

=Latin America=

==Bolivia==

Bolivia has its own form of rectified spirit made using sugar cane or coca leaves, called cocoroco, which is as high as 96% ABV.

Moonshine

A column still or spiral still can achieve a vapor alcohol content of 95% ABV.
Moonshine is usually distilled to 40% ABV, and seldom above 66% based on 48 samples.{{cite journal |last1=Holstege |first1=CP |last2=Ferguson |first2=JD |last3=Wolf |first3=CE |last4=Baer |first4=AB |last5=Poklis |first5=A |title=Analysis of moonshine for contaminants. |journal=Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology |date=2004 |volume=42 |issue=5 |pages=597–601 |doi=10.1081/clt-200026976 |pmid=15462151|s2cid=97866750 }} For example, conventional pot stills commonly produce 40% ABV, and top out between 60 and 80% after multiple distillations. However, ethanol can be dried to 95% ABV by heating 3Å molecular sieves such as 3Å zeolite.{{cite journal |last1=Carmo |first1=M. J. |last2=Gubulin |first2=J. C. |title=Ethanol-Water Adsorption on Commercial 3A Zeolites: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Data |journal=Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering |date=September 1997 |volume=14 |issue=3 |doi=10.1590/S0104-66321997000300004 |language=en |issn=0104-6632|doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Burfield |first1=David R. |last2=Hefter |first2=Glenn T. |last3=Koh |first3=Donald S. P. |title=Desiccant efficiency in solvent and reagent drying 8. molecular sieve column drying of 95% ethanol: An application of hygrometry to the assay of solvent water content |journal=Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. Chemical Technology |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=187–194 |language=en |doi=10.1002/jctb.5040340408 |date=1984|bibcode=1984JCTBC..34..187B }}{{cite journal |last1=Simo |first1=Marian |last2=Sivashanmugam |first2=Siddharth |last3=Brown |first3=Christopher J. |last4=Hlavacek |first4=Vladimir |title=Adsorption/Desorption of Water and Ethanol on 3A Zeolite in Near-Adiabatic Fixed Bed |journal=Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research |volume=48 |issue=20 |pages=9247–9260 |doi=10.1021/ie900446v |date=21 October 2009}}

References

Category:Distilled drinks

Category:Vodkas