The World’s Strongest Rums, Vodkas, and Absinthes (Liquors)
Everclear, grain alcohol created in the United States, is astonishingly strong at 95 percent alcohol by volume, but it isn’t the world’s strongest liquor. Distillers all over the world are increasing the alcohol level of rums, vodkas, absinthes, whiskeys, and other spirits to make eye-watering high-proof bottles.
Exactly what sort of booze are we referring to here? Though most Absolutes and Macallans are between 80 and 100 percent, specialized liquors can be as high as 196 proof, or 98 percent alcohol. But it’s not about being blasted when you drink them: Because they are not cut with water, some higher-proof alcohols, particularly whiskeys, can be more flavorful at a higher proof. Many of these liquors, of course, aren’t designed to be sipped; they’re supposed to be combined.
Much of these spirits aren’t available in your neighborhood liquor store. Most of these overproof liquors aren’t even available in the United States, so you’ll have to look for them elsewhere — but don’t bring them back with you. According to the TSA, liquors over 140 proof are prohibited in carry-on and checked luggage, so check the labels before bringing a boozy souvenir on your next vacation. Furthermore, several of these drinks have been abandoned, making them even more difficult to locate, with only a few bottles remaining for purchase.
Below are 14 of the world’s most potent alcoholic beverages.
1. Polmos Spirytus Polish Vodka
It is number one on the list. It has proof of 192, which means it contains 96 percent alcohol by volume. It is produced in Poland.
2. Everclear 190
It is a second-place finisher. It has a proof of 190, which means it contains 95 percent alcohol by volume. It is produced in the United States.
3. Golden Grain
It has a proof of 190, which means it contains 95 percent alcohol by volume. It’s produced in the United States of America.
4. Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Whiskey
It has a Proof of 184, which means it contains 92 percent alcohol by volume. It is manufactured in Scotland.
5. Hapsburg Absinthe X.C
It has a Proof of 179, which means it contains 89.9% alcohol by volume. It was manufactured in Italy.
6. Pincer Shanghai Strength
It has a Proof of 177, which means it contains 88.8% alcohol by volume. It’s a Scottish product.
7. Balkan 176 Vodka
It has a proof of 176, which means it contains 88 percent alcohol by volume. It is manufactured in Bulgaria.
8. Sunset Very Strong Rum
It has a Proof of 169, indicating an alcohol content of 84.5 percent by volume. It is manufactured in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
9. Stroh 160 Rum
It has a Proof of 160, which means it contains 80 percent alcohol by volume. It is produced in Austria.
10. Devil’s Springs Vodka
It has Proof of 160, which means it contains 80 percent alcohol by volume It’s made in the United States of America.
11. Bacardi 151
It has Proof of 151, which means it contains 75.5 percent alcohol by volume. It’s a Puerto Rican product.
12. Absinthe King of Spirits
It has Proof of 140, which means it contains 70 percent alcohol by volume. It is produced in the Czech.
13. Clarke’s Court Pure White Rum
It has Proof of 138, which means it contains 69 percent alcohol by volume. Grenada is the place where it’s produced.
14. Rivers Royale Grenadian Rum
It has Proof of 138, which means it contains 69 percent alcohol by volume. Grenada is the place where it’s produced.