Rum without ABV

[Alphadog007]

Back in April 2009, I ran some rum that was 75%abv. I put into a sealed gallon jar with two 1x1 oak cubes for a little color and very minor aging (placed in a cool dark place). I also ran some low wines that were 35abv. Today, approx 15 years later I rediscovered it and took me an hour to get the lid off. The low wines seal opened easily and were still an exact 35abv ... BUT the rum was slightly below 0%abv. I checked the testing equipment, tested others with no issues. I also checked cleanliness, smell, and the seal had been very tight. What the heck happened?

[Yummyrum]

Your kids found it and filled the Jug with Tea

[Bolverk]

As a former degenerate teen, I agree with Yummyrum

[Steve Broady]

I’m trying to figure out how anything can be below 0% ABV.

[Alphadog007]

Ugh. Can't trust anyone anymore.

Any other explanations?

[fiery creations]

Did the volume change at all.....

[Alphadog007]

I can't remember for sure, initially, maybe 15% less volume is a guess.

[fiery creations]

I can't remember for sure, initially, maybe 15% less volume is a guess.

Is there a small line drawn near there?

Can't think of anything else.

[SW_Shiner]

I’m trying to figure out how anything can be below 0% ABV.

Adding some sugar to some plain water will make the water more dense. Drop an alcometer in it and it will do the opposite to what it does when you drop it in an ethanol solution. Ethanol makes it less dense, letting the alcometer sink. Make the water more dense and it will rise. This is the reason an alcometer cant be used to accurately measure the ABV of a sweetened spirit. Ever dropped an alcometer into a bottle of Irish cream?

Ugh. Can't trust anyone anymore.

Any other explanations?

Did you taste what was in the jar?

[Alphadog007]

Okay. Thanks for the comments. I'm dumping it. I didn't taste it, but it smells sweet like CocaCola. Wow, very disappointed.

[SW_Shiner]

Sounds like it may have been replaced with CocaCola then. Only real way to know more about what is might be would be to taste it.

[Alphadog007]

It tasted reminiscent of CocaCola, it was more dark than I imagined oak wood color it ... but when I was dumping it, the oak cubes were all but dissolved. Had to be CocaCola. Did I mention I'm disappointed?

[Alphadog007]

Adding some sugar to some plain water will make the water more dense. Drop an alcometer in it and it will do the opposite to what it does when you drop it in an ethanol solution. Ethanol makes it less dense, letting the alcometer sink. Make the water more dense and it will rise. This is the reason an alcometer cant be used to accurately measure the ABV of a sweetened spirit.

I just measured a spirit run that is dripping 75abv with the alcometer, and then again with my refractometer for a 64.4abv. Interesting. I always assumed they'd be the same.

[Alphadog007]

Thanks for the info, SW_Shiner!

[SW_Shiner]

Temp will also change the reading. Hotter distillate will measure a higher abv then cold distillate for the same reason. Hotter = less dense. Think about honey, flows much better if kept at room temp rather than in the fridge. There should be a calibration temp on your alcometer.

[NZChris]

It's difficult enough to diagnose a problem in someone else's shed when you are there to taste, smell and test the product and their equipment, but once it's been poured down the drain the best chance is gone.

After realizing something wasn't quite right, I would have re-sealed the bottle and invited my family to My Grande Opening Ceremony of Grandad''s 15 YO Rum.

[Yummyrum]

After realizing something wasn't quite right, I would have re-sealed the bottle and invited my family to My Grande Opening Ceremony of Grandad''s 15 YO Rum.