Article in other languages:
Neutral grain spirit (also called pure grain alcohol (PGA) or grain neutral spirit (GNS)) is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid that is distilled from cereal grain and has a very high ethanol content. The term neutral refers to the fact that it lacks any flavor derived from the mash used to distill it, nor does it have any flavor added to it after distillation (as is done, for example, with gin). The grain from which it is produced can be any of the common cereal grains. Other kinds of spirits, such as whisky, are distilled at lower alcohol percentages in order to preserve the flavor of the mash.
The purity of neutral grain spirit has a practical limit of 190 proof because a mixture of ethanol and water becomes an azeotrope at 95.6% ABV (191.2 proof).
Neutral grain spirit is only one type of neutral spirit (also called neutral alcohol). Neutral alcohol can also be produced from grapes, sugar beets, sugarcane, or other fermented plant material. In particular, large quantities of neutral alcohol are distilled from wine, a product that is referred to as vinous alcohol.[1]
Generally, any distilled spirit of 170 proof or higher that does not contain any added flavoring is considered to be neutral alcohol.[2]
Neutral grain spirit is used in the production of blended whiskey, cut brandy, some liqueurs, and some bitters. As a consumer good, it is almost always mixed with other beverages to create such drinks as punch and various cocktails, or to produce homemade liqueurs.
Contents |
Availability in market areas
Because of its high alcohol content, neutral grain spirit is illegal, unavailable, or difficult to find in many areas.
Canada
- In Canada, The Luxco product Everclear is only sold in the province of Alberta. In British Columbia, one can purchase neutral grain spirits only with a permit for medical, research, or industrial use. Neutral grain spirits are also sold in Quebec from the producer Alcool Global.
United States
Everclear, Golden Grain Alcohol, and Gem Clear are three brands of neutral grain spirit sold in the United States.
- It is illegal to sell the 190-proof variety of neutral grain spirit (i.e., Everclear, Golden Grain Alcohol, or Gem Clear) in some states of the United States — California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,[3] New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. In some of these states, the 151-proof variety of Everclear may be sold.
- In the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia, grain alcohol lacking distinctive color, odor, and flavor, while not illegal, is not sold at any liquor stores owned by the State (compare, for example, that beverages such as Southern Comfort, a flavored liqueur that has grain alcohol as its base, are sold). Because the State of Virginia has a self-legislated monopoly on the sale of hard liquor, independent liquor stores are illegal, and the product is thus mostly unavailable. In some cases, however, liquor stores on U.S. military bases in the State do sell grain alcohol, and small quantities may be imported on one’s person from nearby states.[4]
Europe
- In Europe, neutral alcohol is sold in some countries. Since it is usually distilled from grain, it is in fact neutral grain spirit. This product contains 95%–95.6% ABV (190–191.2 proof) and is much used for making homemade liqueurs. In Germany, neutral alcohol is called Neutralalkohol or (colloquially) Primasprit. Primasprit is sold in stores and is most often used for making homemade liqueurs; other types of use are rare.
Rectified spirit
“Rectified spirit” or “rectified alcohol” is neutral alcohol which has been purified by means of “rectification” (i.e., repeated distillation). It will contain at least 95% ABV. It is normally used for medicinal purposes but can also be used to make homemade liqueurs. It can be a grain spirit or can be made from other plants.
Cultural references
In the 1964 film Dr. Strangelove (directed by Stanley Kubrick), base commander General Jack D. Ripper states that he only drinks pure grain alcohol with distilled water or rainwater.
See also
- Alcoholic beverage
- Alcoholic proof
- Distilled beverage
- Ethanol
- Everclear
- Gem Clear
- Golden Grain Alcohol
References
- ^ Results of sales of vinous alcohol held by public agencies
- ^ Lichine, Alexis. Alexis Lichine’s New Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987), 365.
- ^ 340A.506, Minnesota Statutes 2007
- ^ Va. Code. Ann. § 4.1-119
External links
Questions for article: