Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (2024)

Higher-proof spirits have been growing in popularity for years. In co*cktails, they retain more power even as they slowly become diluted from ice in a shaker or the drinking glass itself. But what about the truly powerful ones, the spirits that ring in at levels that might make you woozy just thinking about them? The dozen below rank among the more powerful on the planet. Use them with caution, and keep them away from flames.

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Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (1)

Proof: 192 (96% alcohol).

Made in: Poland

This Polish-made vodka — the name translates to rectified spirit — is the strongest spirit for sale in the U.S. “It’s like getting punched in the solar plexus,” one sampler told the New York Post. It’s best employed as a base for liqueurs infused with herbs and fruits…not so much for drinking its own, which is a terrible life decision.

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Everclear

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (2)

Proof: 190 (95% alcohol).

Made in: United States

Everclear spawned a ‘90s alt-rock band and many brutal hangovers. This is another one that should not be consumed on its own; it’s much more smartly employed as a base for limoncello or other liqueurs. Bitters, too.

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Golden Grain

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (3)

Proof: 190 (95% alcohol).

Made in: United States

From the same makers as Everclear, and nearly identical in constitution, Golden Grain is the key ingredient in drinks with names like The Screaming Purple Jesus and Instant Death. Here’s a shocker: it’s illegal in some states, just like Everclear.

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Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whiskey

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (4)

Proof: 184 (92% alcohol).

Made in: Scotland

Based on the 17th-century method of quadruple distilling, Bruichladdich’s X4 is billed as the highest-proof single malt ever made. Aged in new oak casks to enhance flavor, the X4 can also, as proven by a pair of BBC journalists, power a sports car at speeds over 100 mph. But good luck finding it: This is a serious challenge to get your hands on.

River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (5)

Proof: 180 (90% alcohol).

Made in: Grenada

Drawing from the centuries-old tradition of “pot stilling” — a slower, more flavorful method of distillation that occurs in a wide-bottomed and thin-necked still, as opposed to column distillation — this strong, clear rum can be sipped on its own (slowly and not in great quantities, please!) and also used to crafts powerful co*cktails.

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Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe

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Proof: 179 (89.9% alcohol).

Made in: Czech Republic

Hapsburg’s absinthe blend might not be the same version enjoyed by Van Gogh, the most famous of absinthe drinkers, but rest assured it has’s inspired some “artistic” behavior. In a perfect world, you’d sip this with a bit of water slowly dripped through a sugar cube held by one of those gorgeous art deco spoons that were designed for the purpose.

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Pincer Shanghai Strength Vodka

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Proof: 177 (88.8% alcohol).

Made in: Scotland

The Glasgow-based, eco-minded makers of this botanical vodka say their powerful formula is intended to be used as a concentrate: A single bottle supplies 65 shots, compared to the usual 26. Good luck finding it, however: A quick online search found a single source in the US, and they’re charging around $180 for a 1-liter bottle.

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Balkan 176 Vodka

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (8)

Proof: 176 (88% alcohol).

Made in: Bulgaria

If you can find a bottle of this potent elixir, don’t treat it as you would a more typical vodka: A classic Martini, for example, would end your evening before it really even began…and likely put a serious damper on the rest of the weekend, too.

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John Crow Batty Rum

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Proof: 160 (80% alcohol).

Made in: Jamaica

Jamaican white rum may be familiar to you, but this one is…different. It’s so strong that even the name serves as a warning: It’s a reference to the john crow vulture — better known in the United States as the turkey vulture—whose diet of decaying meat necessitates a stomach of serious strength…just like this rum.

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Bacardi 151

Do You Know Where the 12 Strongest Liquors in the World Come From? (10)

Proof: 151 (75.5% alcohol).

Made in: Puerto Rico

Discontinued in 2016, this famously flammable spirit was many people’s first foray into dangerously high-octane co*cktails, as well as flaming shots. As Bacardi itself notes on its website: “As a company, we care for our customers’ health and wellbeing, and since there are so many other premium BACARDÍ rums to try, we felt it was best for everyone to let BACARDÍ 151 slink away into the night and transform into the shadowy creature of legend it has become.”

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King of Spirits Absinthe

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Proof: 140 (70% alcohol)

Made in: Czech Republic

King of Spirits Absinthe isn’t just high in alcohol; it also boasts 100mg of thujone, the famous backbone of wormwood, per bottle. Of course, it’s long been established that absinthe won’t make you into a great painter or suddenly be beset by the urge to slice off your ear, Van Gogh-style. But the booze alone is enough to make moderation the rule with this one.

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Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels

Proof: 1119.8

Made in: United States

There are of course other spirits that ring it at more than 59.9% ABV, but it didn’t feel right to leave a great cask-strength Bourbon out of this list. The popularity of barrel-proof American whiskey has been skyrocketing in recent years, and the number of options available has expanded as a result. This one is a delicious example of what makes them so appealing.

In discussing high-proof spirits, it's crucial to understand the scale of alcohol content, its impact on beverages, and responsible consumption. The proof of a spirit indicates its alcohol percentage; for instance, 190 proof equates to 95% alcohol content. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article:

Proof: It's a measurement of alcohol content, often used in the US, where the proof is double the alcohol by volume (ABV). For instance, 100 proof means 50% ABV.
High-proof spirits: These have a higher alcohol content, such as Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany (192 proof), Everclear (190 proof), and Golden Grain (190 proof). These spirits are primarily used as bases for liqueurs or co*cktails due to their potency.
Distillation: The process of purifying liquids through heating and cooling, separating substances based on their boiling points. Techniques like quadruple distillation create high-proof spirits like Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whiskey (184 proof).
Alcoholic beverages: Various types are mentioned, including rum, vodka, absinthe, and bourbon. Each has distinct origins, production methods, and alcohol concentrations.
Cask strength: Spirits like Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (1119.8 proof) are bottled directly from the barrel, preserving their original potency without dilution.
Legal restrictions: Some high-proof spirits, like Everclear and Golden Grain, are banned or restricted in certain states due to safety concerns.
Responsible consumption: High-proof spirits demand caution due to their potency. They're often used as mixers or in limited quantities, as consuming them neat can be overwhelming and even dangerous.

Understanding these concepts helps appreciate the nuances of high-proof spirits, their production methods, and the significance of responsible consumption to ensure both enjoyment and safety.