High Proof Spirit Consumption

[758759754]

What is a safe maximum ABV or Proof that one can consume? Usual spirits are 80 proof or 40%abv obviously. But then there are things like Bacardi 151 (ie 151 proof or 75.5%) Is that safe to shoot, or drink neat? Can one shoot 95% safely? Obviously, the largest issue here is alcohol poisoning, so forget about mentioning that as it is fairly evident. But I am worrying about other hazards. Once read "high proof" consumption can cause throat ruptures, bleeding, hemorrhaging, etc. yet it never defined an exact safe level. So, what is safe?

[MuleKicker]

No one is going to tell you any level is safe to "shoot", as that is irresposible drinking. There is no set number, although I say over 50% on the rocks is getting bad. This is going to go no where quick.

[758759754]

Alright, thank you for your thoughts.

[NcHooch]

X2 on Mule's comments . I have some Bookers (64.2% abv ...the angels musta been on vacation) and it's not too enjoyable until the rocks melt some.

[Bushman]

+2, we say everything is up to personal taste but 50% is really pushing the limit without sometype of mixture. Now that comment is going to open a new can of worms about ruining good hooch. Like Mulekicker says this is going nowhere quick!

[Prairiepiss]

+3 I have found I really like the product that comes off my still above 80% ABV. But its not enjoyable until diluted to 30% ish. 40% has become my max for drinking. I get above that and its just not enjoyable. And that's why I do this. To make something I like drinking. Not to just get all fuckerd up. If I wanted to do that I would drink a $4 bottle of crap from the package store.

[LWTCS]

Echo in the room,,,,room room room.

Mid to high 80s for the drip off the business end for me but the drankin stentth is nice at (total) 50% or so....I do like to git her done but no reason to to get all crazy.....

I must admit that the 40% is rather sluggish when mixed.... I swear I am a responsible person

[Tater]

I like my sipping likker at 100 proof.But I really do just sip

[Prairiepiss]

I have a problem. When I have a glass in my hand I tend to forget to sip. And I am constantly drinking. So if I'm sippin I have to have 2 glasses in front of me. 1 with whatever I'm sippin and one with a softdrink or tea. Sometimes I confuse the two. I use to do shots before I started this hobby. It's hard to shoot that store bought swill now. A friend gave me a shot the other day. I about puked. He looked at me and said what's wrong with you? I said that has to much heads in it for me. Without even thinking about it. He just looked at me and shook his head.

[rad14701]

I drank shots of high proof in bars for decades so I'm accustomed to 100 proof but have noticed that most mortals have a tough time handling anything over 80 proof... Heck, I've seen people get wrecked drinking 40 proof shots while I was fine drinking 100 proof... It all depends on personal preference, tolerance, and other variables...

However, when all is said and done, we aren't making spirits intended to be downed as shots... Whether sipping neat, on the rocks, or with a chaser, moderation should be exercised... If you just want to get puking drunk, do so with cheap commercial swill...

[tomgndallas]

yuck..no thanks!

I never go past 100, that is where I started as I wanted to get more bang in my shots. Honestly now I never go higher than 90 proof or 45%. Never get sloshed on cheap shit anymore either, which means...drum roll...no more hangovers! it is a godsend as far as I am concerned.

my name is tom and I'm a HD'oholic.

[rtalbigr]

I bottle everything at 50%. When I drink its always over ice and it doesn't really get good until all the ice melts, so I guess I'm mostly drinkin @ 25-30%, that's when the flavors really come through.

Big R

[myles]

Those commercial overproof spirits are usually clearly advertised as to be used in mixed drinks. Certainly stuff like Bacardi 151 (which is classified as "dangerous air cargo" ) are not intended to be consumed as it comes out of the bottle.

[Samohon]

40% does me. My friend has his at 45%. Used to drink shots years ago, now I'm a little more responsible... hick!!!

[Fastill]

I bottle everything at 50%. When I drink its always over ice and it doesn't really get good until all the ice melts, so I guess I'm mostly drinkin @ 25-30%, that's when the flavors really come through.

Big R

I couldn't agree more!! I do bottle at 60% but I wait for the ice to melt before it tastes best to me. Usually you can get the most flavor out of your product if you lessen the alcohol burn to less than 30%. Good clean spring water for your ice helps....

[frozenthunderbolt]

The only thing i have in a bottle over 50%abv (tops for rum over ice), is absinthe, an that is only so it remains clear in the bottle and only louches when mixed with water - gerneraly around 20-30%abv to drink

[wildrover]

I prefer mine at 45%-50% or up to 55% depending on the whiskey. Well that's what it is when it hits the glass, and then I add a splash of water to open it up and soften it. I think that certain proofs work best with certain liquors. The closer to 40% the less it hides off flavors, so sometimes a younger rough whiskey tastes better closer to 50%. But I certainly only sip it and I'm willing to bet I drink less then most in this forum even though I enjoy slightly higher proof whiskey, so I agree it's about moderation and being smart about it.

[The Baker]

I have some apple brandy at 55 % and it tastes better to me than at a lower percentage.
Which is sort of surprising because until recently (I've been practising, tasting my own product) I didn't like straight spirits at all.
The apple brandy is fiery but not overmuch.
But I certainly do just sip it.
Someone said that percentage is actually common for apple brandy in (was it Hungary? anyway where it is traditionally made in the countryside).

[blind drunk]

I used to have my drinks on the rocks but lately I'm liking it straight, barrel strength. It's "lighter" that way. I'm so uncouth!

[Ian Jay]

In Austria there is a high octane rum called 'Stroh'. It is 80% ABV (160% USA) . I have a bottle, but it remains unopened!

[Ayay]

There's nothing gained by burning the gullet. We can get perfectly drunk on diluted spirits. Take care of the inner skin.

[758759754]

Thank you, everybody. The results were as I predicted. I feel sorry for all of you that don't partake in shots. It's basically tradition in my little cultural group.

[Fastill]

Thank you, everybody. The results were as I predicted. I feel sorry for all of you that don't partake in shots. It's basically tradition in my little cultural group.

I used to do shots, but my drinking tastes matured beyond drinking to get bombed.

[758759754]

Sorry to hear you get wasted after shots, but I guess we all have different tolerances.

[LWTCS]

Lets not make this a pissing contest please....

Plenty of love in the world for shooters and sippers......and the chug-a-luggers too (PP).......... and even that dude that lays with his mouth open under the business end,,,,,you know who you are!!
thank the lord.

[tomgndallas]

Thank you, everybody. The results were as I predicted. I feel sorry for all of you that don't partake in shots. It's basically tradition in my little cultural group.

I used to do shots, but my drinking tastes matured beyond drinking to get bombed.

tend to like mine chilled and full strength, might have 4 shots over the course of a night, never get bombed really. even last nite, i think i knocked back 8 watching the boxing matches, it is a different kind of buzz. i feel intoxicated but my head is clear and i seem to function fine. must be another benefit of drinking pure.

matter of fact had two Boddingtons earlier in the week, within an hour i had a damn headache! what the hell!

[Prairiepiss]

Hey I never said I liked chuggin. But those Russian sailors I ran into in Kenya sure did. Holy crap did they.

And I don't get into pissin contests. I have blader problems I would never win.

[Fastill]

Sorry to hear you get wasted after shots, but I guess we all have different tolerances.

No tolerance problem here, I just don't get bombed

[blind drunk]

And I don't get into pissin contests. I have blader problems I would never win.

You win!

[Prairiepiss]

And I don't get into pissin contests. I have blader problems I would never win.

You win!

Woo Hoo What do I win?