Alcohol proof.

[Navy vet]

Hi everyone,
I have a proof issue. I ran my first batch of Sweet feed last week and had a bit of a learning curve with my column.
I got some great answers on another thread. I still was able to produce some nice moonshine, or at the time it didn't smell to good to me, but after airing out two days it smelled good. I saved only two cups of hearts out of a 10 gal wash, I kept the rest as feints.
I had a family function this weekend and I brought the two cups of shine at 188 proof, I used a calculator and had the correct amount of water to bring it down to 100. My brother inlaw wanted to have a tug full strength before I proofed it down. I giggled inside a bit anticipating the facial expressions, coughing and choking, mad dash for any liquids to wash it down with after he swallowed.
I was shocked when he said "wow that's great". Three more family members took cautious sips with the same results. This time I tried it and I was surprised myself just how palatable it was at such a high proof. The two cups were quickly gone with everyone having bigger sips.
My brother inlaw wants me to make more for our next family get together at the same proof. Now I know Everclear is available at 190proof as well as 151 proof rum, but you can't drink it nearly as easly as this shine. My big concern is that someone could potentially show off with a few big chugs or just accidentally ingest a lethal amount wile not yet feeling the effects.
Proof or not to proof?

I'm I being a mother hen, or should they be treated like big boys?
Ps. No kids, everyone I'm describing is middle aged.

[Oxbo Rene]

Always ! !
Know what ya got, especially if giving to others .........................
I'd be carefull, a good time could quickly turn into a nightmare .....

[Richard7]

You may want to check your hydrometer in some liquor of a known proof and in water to make sure it is right. My first one was off by quite a bit.

[Navy vet]

My hydrometer is spot on so my question isn't should I allow my product to be consumed at an unknow proof. It's should I allow to be consumed at a proof above 180.

[acfixer69]

Don't mess around with high proof stuff. It is taste able but that is why we do it when runnin the still. There will always be a show off in a pissin contest. Sounds like a 911 call to me.

AC

[wv_hillbilly]

I wouldn't do it, that's alot of shit to live with for the rest of new life if the hurt or killed a family member with something, even if it was there own issue. I'd dilute down and save everyone the chance from hurting themselves.

[rad14701]

Never, never, never, let high proof alcohol out of your hands and into someones mouth...!!! It may sound "cool" but it's just plain ignorant...!!! Seriously...!!! You obviously don't grasp the concept of being responsible with high proof spirits... Perhaps you haven't had a sore and dry throat for four days after taking a swig of high proof and having it damage your throat tissue... I've seen it happen to someone too drunk to know what he was doing with some other guys shine and that's why I don't let anything over 110 proof out of my hands... Anything much higher can cause temporary or even permanent damage...

[Navy vet]

Never, never, never, let high proof alcohol out of your hands and into someones mouth...!!! It may sound "cool" but it's just plain ignorant...!!! Seriously...!!! You obviously don't grasp the concept of being responsible with high proof spirits... Perhaps you haven't had a sore and dry throat for four days after taking a swig of high proof and having it damage your throat tissue... I've seen it happen to someone too drunk to know what he was doing with some other guys shine and that's why I don't let anything over 110 proof out of my hands... Anything much higher can cause temporary or even permanent damage...

Ok first off you don't need to hurl insults!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!! I only wanted to hear member feelings on the subject. READ MY POST! It was two cups I had intended to proof down. I had a request to provide more but OBVOIUSLY i did have a grasp as it bothered me enough to ASK THE QUESTION!!!!!!
Trying to make a poster feel like a jackass isn't in anyway helpful!

[jholmz]

i personally dont let anything go above a 100 proof you never know when somebody is goin to play heman, or somebodys gonna say hey i bet you cant, and then you fel like shit cause a family member or friend is seriously hurt or worse if it goes too far

[Navy vet]

My original intention wasn't to produce moonshine or I would have just made a pot still. My goal is a high quality whiskey,scotch and vodka. Im going with my gut as MOTHER HEN and telling them if they want 190 proof go buy some Everclear!

[cornsqueezer]

The reason that they are harping about this is it is unsafe at that proof, it gets in your blood stream too fast and you body doesn't know what the fuck to do with it. one sip is like a triple shot plane and simple. We are all trying to look out for each other [big brother/fatherly advice] take as a slap in the face or a kick in the ass RULES are RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LIve by them or face the consequences Brother !

[Navy vet]

The reason that they are harping about this is it is unsafe at that proof, it gets in your blood stream too fast and you body doesn't know what the fuck to do with it. one sip is like a triple shot plane and simple. We are all trying to look out for each other [big brother/fatherly advice] take as a slap in the face or a kick in the ass RULES are RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LIve by them or face the consequences Brother !

That was my very concern I commented on in my original post. I'm very greatful for everyones time to comment as I know everyone here wants this hobby to be safe.
The problem I have is with the slap in the face and kick in the ass, for just asking the question. The only thing that willl achieve is someone else reading will learn NOT to ask the question and that would truly be a ashame.

[cornsqueezer]

it's all in the way you take it. it was done in care/love, we don't want anyone getting hurt. If one of your friends had an allergic reaction and had to be rushed to ER they would start asking questions and even involve the POPO understand ? Don't take unnecessary risk even if they beg for it Brother!

[Navy vet]

it's all in the way you take it. it was done in care/love, we don't want anyone getting hurt. If one of your friends had an allergic reaction and had to be rushed to ER they would start asking questions and even involve the POPO understand ? Don't take unnecessary risk even if they beg for it Brother!

Right on brother! That's why I wasn't even going to consider it without feed back from my distillin brethren.

[NcMoonLight]

Could do like my uncle did me when I turned 21, gave me a shot of shine n told me it was 150 proof or something hesitantly I took the shot then he goes "ha it was only 100 proof I was just tryin to see if you had the B----"

Was quite funny at the time, but just do like alot of people around here including myself do and just proof it down to 110/100 proof OR even lower

Have fun and be safe!

[Doogie]

You can buy 151 proof in the LCBO in Ontario. Most booze here is 80 proof.

[rad14701]

Here in the US each state sets its own maximum %ABV limit for commercial spirits... And those states that have so called state stores, where the state sells the spirits, generally have lower maximum limits than other states...

[Doogie]

we only have a "state store" - government owned monopoly. It is very well run and stocked, but I can get 151 proof and absinthe with wormwood.

[wv_hillbilly]

We don't have the state stores in WV, hell, we can buy spirits ar stores like rite aid. I remember going into a rite aid in VA, and asking where they kept their liquor, the stare I got back from the guy was priceless, I of course had no clue.

[Richard7]

It was the other way around for me when I went to Iowa, I ask the hotel clerk where the state store was and she laughed and said there is a grocery store across the street!

[BrooklynTech]

It was the other way around for me when I went to Iowa, I ask the hotel clerk where the state store was and she laughed and said there is a grocery store across the street!

Or your local 7-11 over here.

[oliver90owner]

Apart from all the above do not discount the fire risk, either.

That % alcohol is unsafe in a famly gathering situation; only needs someone to light up...

Dilute it to a safe level is my advice.

[Gaztops]

Absinthe is the only spirit over 40% abv that is readily available in supermarkets. It checks out at 52% abv.

[Navy vet]

Well it's clear from everyones opinions, high proof isnt the best idea. Despite the fact high proof spirits are commercially available for consumption. For myself its about why I decided to venture into the hobbie to begin with. I'm also involved in barbecue and have built a nice big smoker. The reasons for getting involved are the same. Being able to handcraft a product that is far better then store bought, taking great satifaction feeding my friends and family with my handcrafted product and enjoying a great time with them.
None of use are kids anymore and the days of showing off are far behind us. AS I posted earlier, I'm after quality, not fuel to drink. I put a lot of myself in preparing food for my family and friends. So handcrafting a superior spirit to enjoy after is icing on the cake. I've realized that its like giving a firearm to a family member who may not understand gun safety. They can still go out and buy thier own firearm.The intent is to create good times but the risk of that good time going bad is very small but why take a chance.

[F6Hawk]

I for one appreciate the fact that Navy Vet posted his question. Number one, he got some good advice. Number two, I learned from it. I never realized how important it was to not let high proof out of my hands; as he said, people can buy everclear anytime they want. And legalities aside, I know how bad I would feel if I caused someone to be hurt or die from my mistake.

People will do stupid things without much help... I remember my college buddies drinking themselves stupid, some ending up in a hospital. It was on 80~90 proof stuff. So now I have a good reason to drink the high-test stuff myself if I want (but I always mix mine), and to never distribute it to others.

Thanks to Navy Vet for asking, and thanks to those who want to keep our hobby safe.

[Navy vet]

Apart from all the above do not discount the fire risk, either.

That % alcohol is unsafe in a famly gathering situation; only needs someone to light up...

Dilute it to a safe level is my advice.

excellent observation! It's very true. I didn't consider that a smoker could accidentally light their drink on fire, with no visible flame in daylight. That would be horrific if they went for another sip!
Best reason to proof down so far!!!
Makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck just thinking about it.
That reminds me. I need a hair cut.

[Uncle Jemima]

If you checked the proof before airing it for a couple of days and not after, it may not have been nearly as strong as you thought. A lot of alcohol evaporates in open air after a couple of days.

I have a gallon carboy that I Oaked at 65% initially. The cork has let it drop to 58% in just a few months. Completely open it would have dropped much more.

[Navy vet]

If you checked the proof before airing it for a couple of days and not after, it may not have been nearly as strong as you thought. A lot of alcohol evaporates in open air after a couple of days.

I have a gallon carboy that I Oaked at 65% initially. The cork has let it drop to 58% in just a few months. Completely open it would have dropped much more.

I didn't reproof the distillate after airing as I assumed the results would be neglagabul. I will next time as I'm now curious.

[natasdg47187]

can anyone help. I've noticed couple time about airing out your spirits, whats the process? I've just ran my stripping run an the smell is vary strong, its 130proof. can I put it up for a day or two to collect more before I dump it back into the pot an run it as my spirit run? do I air out my stripping run or just my spriit run or is it necessary to do.? is it just to get the smel out or what? any suggestion would help

[jholmz]

can anyone help. I've noticed couple time about airing out your spirits, whats the process? I've just ran my stripping run an the smell is vary strong, its 130proof. can I put it up for a day or two to collect more before I dump it back into the pot an run it as my spirit run? do I air out my stripping run or just my spriit run or is it necessary to do.? is it just to get the smel out or what? any suggestion would help

airing out is just letting the spirit sit in the collection jars covered with a filter to allow the stronger smells to settle out. done for spirit runs to help make cuts for those whos "nose" for the spirit is not a defined as they would like. there is no sense doing it on a stripping run as you are going to rerun it. a couple of stripping runs are usually collected and added together for spirit runs , or you can just do on individual runs, be sure to water down to 40% before running as spirit run. hope this helps you