Spirytus Rektyfikowany, a Polish vodka, is the strongest alcoholic beverage available in the UK and boasts an astounding 96% ABV (alcohol by volume). It is advised to use this high-strength vodka sparingly or as a base for tinctures and infusions because it is not for the faint of heart.
In order to put this into perspective, wines and beers normally have alcohol by volume (ABV) levels below 15%, but the majority of spirits sold in the UK vary from 35 to 50%. Due to its uniqueness, Spirytus Rektyfikowany should only be consumed under strict supervision.
Now, you might be asking how a spirit with such a high alcohol level can be produced. The distillation procedure contains the solution. A gin still, sometimes referred to as a pot still or an alembic still, is a device used to distill alcoholic beverages. In order for it to operate, a liquid combination (in this example, a fermented grain mash) must be heated until it vaporizes, then cooled to condense the liquid, which is now a much stronger alcohol.
Alcohol distillation involves expertise and knowledge, and in many nations, including the UK, it takes a distillery license to make alcohol that will be sold. Depending on the jurisdiction and the type of license required, a distilling license in Australia may cost different amounts. However, the process is typically time-consuming and expensive.
What if, though, you wanted to create rum at home? While making your own alcohol for personal use is permissible in some nations, distilling alcohol without a license is prohibited in the UK. However, you are still permitted to make a small amount of your own beer or cider at home.
With a staggering 96% ABV, Spirytus Rektyfikowany is the strongest alcoholic beverage available in the UK. High-strength spirits like these are made by the distillation procedure, which uses a gin still. Although it is feasible to make alcohol at home, many nations require a distilling license, and in the UK, it is against the law to distill alcohol without a license.
By separating it from the ethanol, the distillation process reduces the production of methanol. Methanol evaporates first during the distillation process and is removed, leaving the ethanol behind since it has a lower boiling point than ethanol. Due to this, distilled alcoholic drinks with minimal amounts of methanol include whiskey and vodka.