Drinking proof

[Hoser1]

I have been reading and searching but I haven't seen anything that is really precise (not to say that I may have missed it) that relates to a preferred drinking proof. Kind of seems somewhat of a distillers choice to some degree. I would like to hear some opinions on a good drinking proof for corn licker. Some say 80 proof, some say 115 proof is the best, what say ye ???????????

[rad14701]

I drink most everything at 100 proof or slightly higher...

[ProChargedHarley03]

i had 6 gallons of 140 proof on oak for 9 month!!! it was a little harsh but, you didnt need much to get where you wanted to be......lol
it was great in mixed drinks

[dakotasnake]

when mixing drinks for myself it doent much matter, the higher the proof the less i use. when my brothers or the few freinds ask for a little jar i NEVER allow anthing out of the house over 100 proof for safety reasons.

[rhumbum]

I prefer 90-100 proof for drinking neat. Any more and the flavour seems to lose out to the alcohol, any less and it tastes too weak.

I am planing a making a run of 'rum-gin', a triple distilled white rum with the final distilation going though a gin head packed with gorse flowers and a few spices. As this is intended for mixing, I will bottle it overproof, maybe cutting it to 65% / 130 US proof, so that more flavour comes over in the mixed drink than it would if it was cut to a neat sipping strength.

A trend that I have noticed with commercial spririts in the UK is that more and more distillers are cutting to 37.5% ABV. Most vodka has always been cut to that strength, but recently I have been noticing that whisky and rum is also being commonly sold at the weaker strength. Some regulations must have changed that allows them to get away with this over-dilution of the product.

[Hoser1]

Isn't most commercial moonshine around 80 proof ? If your mountain moonshiners product was less then 100 proof, I would think it would be hard for them to sell their licker. It also seems so far 100 proof is the norm here too.

[Jimbo]

45%-50% is my target, neat.

[Odin]

45% mostly.

Odin.

[dag_nabberit]

For a while I diluted everything to 50% abv (100 proof) because the math was easier, but there are a number of women that like to hang out with us old boys in the shed out back when the liquor is getting passed around and they want their shots straight up too.
Hillbilly women, you just gotta love em.
Anyway, they seem to prefer something with not quite as much kick and since I do like to keep the ladies happy, I take some of it on down to around 43%.

[HolyBear]

50% is traditional fer shine...

[Boda Getta]

Many, many variables here. not the least of which is personal preference. I have found the type of spirit makes a difference. I drink all of mine neat and I have found, for me, that 86-87 proof is a "sweet spot" for me with a good charred UJSSM, while closer to 80 is better for me for SF. A good white dog I tend to go higher, 90 or better for no other reason that I feel it's more traditional for moonshine. That's one major advantage of making your own, you are able to proof to your own tastes and purposes.
Good luck
BG

[Hoser1]

Really good input gang !! As a couple of members have pointed out, being able to proof your own licker is one of the advantages of making your own.