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. Prominent brands of neutral spirits sold in the U.S. include: • Brands made by
Luxco: •
Everclear • Crystal Clear • Golden Grain • Gem Clear • Graves Grain Alcohol "Grain spirit" is a legal classification for neutral spirit that is distilled from fermented grain mash and stored in oak containers. States where consumer sales of high-ABV neutral spirit are prohibited include California, Hawaii, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and West Virginia. In 2017, Virginia approved the sale of up to 151 proof neutral spirits at its ABC stores without a permit. Pennsylvania sells 151 proof without a permit but requires one for 190 proof.
European Union Legal definition Under EU regulations, 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%.
Poland Spirytus Rektyfikowany made by Polmos is the most notable brand with 96% ABV, while in fine and luxury cases, increases to 96.5% ABV. It is often claimed to be the strongest liquor in the world. Spirytus Delikatesowy by Polmos is at 95% ABV. Spirytus Luksusowy by Dębowa Polska is at 96.5% ABV.
Norway The import and sale 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==