Rectified spirit

Rectified spirit, also known as neutral spirits, rectified alcohol or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin,^[1] is highly concentrated ethanol that has been purified by means of repeated distillation in a process called rectification. In some countries, denatured alcohol or denatured rectified spirit may commonly be available as "rectified spirit", because in some countries (though not necessarily the same) the retail sale of rectified alcohol in its non-denatured form is prohibited.

The purity of rectified spirit has a practical limit of 97.2% ABV (95.6% by mass)^[2] when produced using conventional distillation processes, as a mixture of ethanol and water becomes a minimum-boiling azeotrope at this concentration. However, rectified spirit is typically distilled in continuous multi-column stills at 96–96.5% ABV and diluted as necessary. Ethanol is a commonly used medical alcohol — spiritus fortis is a medical term for ethanol solutions with 95% ABV.

Neutral spirits can be produced from grains, corn, grapes, sugar beets, sugarcane, tubers, or other fermentable materials such as whey.^[3] In particular, large quantities of neutral alcohol are distilled from wine and by-products of wine production (pomace, lees^[4]). A product made from grain is "neutral grain spirit", while a spirit made from grapes is called "grape neutral spirit"^[5] or "vinous alcohol".^[6] These terms are commonly abbreviated as either GNS or NGS.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Neutral spirits are used in the production of several spirit drinks, such as blended whisky, cut brandy, most gins, some liqueurs and some bitters. As a consumer product, it is almost always mixed with other beverages to create drinks like alcoholic punch or Jello shots or is sometimes added to cocktails in place of vodka or rum.^[10] It is also used to make home made liqueurs, such as limoncello or Crème de cassis, and in cooking because its high concentration of alcohol acts as a solvent to extract flavors.^[11] Rectified spirits are also used for medicinal tinctures and as a household solvent. They are sometimes consumed undiluted; however, because the alcohol is so high-proof, overconsumption can cause alcohol poisoning more quickly than more traditional distilled spirits.^[12]

^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Inge Russell, ed. (2003). Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing. Graham Stewart. Academic Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780080474854.
^ Zavatto, A. (31 October 2018). "Making a Case for Whey-Based Spirits". SevenFifty Daily.
^ Pelsy, F.; Merdinoglu, D. (2021). La vigne, miracle de la nature ? : 70 clés pour comprendre la viticulture (in French). Versailles: Éditions Quae. p. 126. ISBN 978-2759233311.
^ 27 CFR 5.22
^ "Results of sales of vinous alcohol held by public agencies". Official Journal of the European Union. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
^ David T. Smith (2018). The Gin Dictionary. Octopus Publishing. ISBN 9781784724894. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ "Commercial Alcohols". Greenfield.com. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ Laurel Miller (November 30, 2017). "Getting to the Bottom of What's in Your Glass". EdibleCommunities.com. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^ "Drink Recipe Browser: Everclear drinks". Drinknation. 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
^ Walton, Stuart; Norma Miller (2000). An Encyclopedia of Spirits & Liqueurs and How to Cook with Them. London: Hermes House. ISBN 1-84215-154-1.
^ Sonja Sharp; Kenneth Lovett (2010). "That's the spirit! State approves 192-proof Spirytus, allowing New Yorkers to get quite the buzz". The Daily News.

[:1-1] Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Inge Russell, ed. (2003). Whisky: Technology, Production and Marketing. Graham Stewart. Academic Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780080474854.

[3] Zavatto, A. (31 October 2018). "Making a Case for Whey-Based Spirits". SevenFifty Daily.

[4] Pelsy, F.; Merdinoglu, D. (2021). La vigne, miracle de la nature ? : 70 clés pour comprendre la viticulture (in French). Versailles: Éditions Quae. p. 126. ISBN 978-2759233311.

[CFR2-5] 27 CFR 5.22

[6] "Results of sales of vinous alcohol held by public agencies". Official Journal of the European Union. Retrieved November 25, 2018.

[7] David T. Smith (2018). The Gin Dictionary. Octopus Publishing. ISBN 9781784724894. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[8] "Commercial Alcohols". Greenfield.com. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[9] Laurel Miller (November 30, 2017). "Getting to the Bottom of What's in Your Glass". EdibleCommunities.com. Retrieved May 8, 2019.

[recipes2-10] "Drink Recipe Browser: Everclear drinks". Drinknation. 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.

[11] Walton, Stuart; Norma Miller (2000). An Encyclopedia of Spirits & Liqueurs and How to Cook with Them. London: Hermes House. ISBN 1-84215-154-1.

[NY2-12] Sonja Sharp; Kenneth Lovett (2010). "That's the spirit! State approves 192-proof Spirytus, allowing New Yorkers to get quite the buzz". The Daily News.

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