Rectified spirit, also known asneutral spirits,rectified alcohol orethyl alcohol of agricultural origin,[1] is highly concentratedethanol that has been purified by means of repeated distillation in a process calledrectification. 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)[2] when produced using conventionaldistillation processes, as a mixture of ethanol and water becomes a minimum-boilingazeotrope 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 usedmedical alcohol — spiritus fortis is a medical term for ethanol solutions with 95% ABV.
Neutral spirits can be produced fromgrains,corn,grapes,sugar beets,sugarcane,tubers, or otherfermentable materials such aswhey.[3] In particular, large quantities of neutral alcohol are distilled fromwine and by-products of wine production (pomace,lees[4]). A product made from grain is "neutral grain spirit", while a spirit made from grapes is called "grape neutral spirit"[5] or "vinous alcohol".[6] These terms are commonly abbreviated as either GNS or NGS.[7][8][9]
Neutral spirits are used in the production of severalspirit drinks, such asblended whisky,cut brandy, mostgins, someliqueurs and somebitters. As a consumer product, it is generally mixed with other beverages, either to create drinks like alcoholicpunch orJello shots or to substitute for other spirits, such asvodka orrum, incocktails.[10] It is also used to make home made liqueurs, such aslimoncello orCrème de cassis, and in cooking because its high concentration of alcohol acts as asolvent to extract flavors.[11] Rectified spirit is also used formedicinal tinctures and as a household solvent. It is sometimes consumed undiluted; however, because the alcohol is sohigh-proof, overconsumption can causealcohol poisoning more quickly than more traditional distilled spirits.[12]
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.[5] 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.[13] Prominent brands of neutral spirits sold in the U.S. include:
Availability of neutral spirit for retail purchase varies between states.[16][17] States where consumer sales of high-ABV neutral spirit are[when?] prohibited include California,[15] Florida,[18] Hawaii,[15] Maine,[15] Maryland,[15] Massachusetts,[15] Michigan,[15] Minnesota,[19] New Hampshire,[15] Nevada,[20] North Carolina,[21] Pennsylvania,[22] Iowa, and West Virginia.[22] In Virginia, the purchase of neutral spirits requires a no-cost "Grain Alcohol Permit", issued "strictly for industrial, commercial, culinary or medicinal use".[23] In 2017, Virginia approved the sale of up to 151 proof neutral spirits at its ABC stores without a permit.[24] Pennsylvania sells 151 proof without a permit but requires one for 190 proof.[25]
Under EU regulations,[1] alcohol used in the production of somespirit 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):
In Germany, rectified spirit is generically calledPrimasprit (colloquial) or, more technically,Neutralalkohol. It is available in pharmacies, bigger supermarkets, and East European markets. In the formerEast 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%.[26][27]
Spirytus Rektyfikowany made by Polmos is the most notable brand with 96% ABV,[28] while in fine and luxury cases, increases to 96.5% ABV.[29] It is often claimed to be the strongest liquor in the world.[30] Spirytus Delikatesowy by Polmos is at 95% ABV. Spirytus Luksusowy by Dębowa Polska is at 96.5% ABV.[31]
Moonshine is usually distilled to 40% ABV, and seldom above 66% based on 48 samples.[34] For example, conventionalpot stills commonly produce 40% ABV, and top out between 60 and 80% after multiple distillations. However, ethanol can be dried to 95% ABV by heating3Å molecular sieves such as 3Åzeolite.[35][36][37]
^Burfield, David R.; Hefter, Glenn T.; Koh, Donald S. P. (1984). "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 of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. Chemical Technology.34 (4):187–194.Bibcode:1984JCTBC..34..187B.doi:10.1002/jctb.5040340408.
^Simo, Marian; Sivashanmugam, Siddharth; Brown, Christopher J.; Hlavacek, Vladimir (21 October 2009). "Adsorption/Desorption of Water and Ethanol on 3A Zeolite in Near-Adiabatic Fixed Bed".Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.48 (20):9247–9260.doi:10.1021/ie900446v.
