For instance, whiskey’s smoky and spicy notes can make the alcohol feel stronger than it is, even when the ABV is the same as vodka. Vodka is typically distilled to an ABV of 40%, although some variations can be as high as 50%. This makes vodka a strong alcoholic drink, but its neutral flavor often masks the “burn” or harshness of the alcohol, making it easier to drink in large quantities without noticing its strength. In many countries, the legal minimum ABV for vodka is set at 37.5%, but premium brands may offer vodka strong higher percentages for a more intense drinking experience.

Everclear 190

When vodka is produced using something other than potato or cereal grain, like Ciroc, which is made using grapes, it must legally be declared on the bottle. The strongest vodka in the world, and also the strongest commercially available alcohol in the world, comes from Polish Distillery Spirytus. This vodka has a huge 192 Proof or 96% ABV and is made up of premium ethyl alcohol with an agricultural cereal origin. While its ridiculously high alcohol percentage means Spirytus can’t be drunk neat, it can work as a good base for cocktails when used minimally.

What Is Captain Morgan Rum Made Of?

Our picks include a briny vodka that’s great for martinis, a richer option for those with a sweet tooth, and a creamy workhorse vodka that belongs in every home bar. Many people who’ve consumed it straight from the bottle have described it as a feeling like they have been flogged in the stomach that breathing becomes impossible. Enjoy this diluted or with a mixer of your choice, and never drink this neat. It is extraordinarily pure and robust because of the ultra-precise distillation process, and its texture has incredible lubricity. It is aged and kept in new oak casks to increase flavor that it can power a sports car at speeds of over 100 mph.

These Are the World’s Strongest Liquors

Grey Goose is one of the original ultra-premium vodkas on the market and offers a delightfully crisp taste with a smooth finish. The result is an impossibly smooth spirit with hints of pear, citrus, and honeysuckle. It’s crystal clear with a slightly sweet smell to it and a plump, round taste. This is a vodka known for its many tasting notes, making it ideal for drinking neat.

Belvedere Intense 100 Proof

Since vodka is often perceived as “smooth,” drinkers may underestimate its strength and consume more than they would with a stronger-tasting spirit. We embarked on a fascinating journey through the world’s most potent libations. We dove into the production processes, histories, and regions of origin for these exceptional and powerful liquors.

However, certain spirits with higher ABVs, like absinthe or overproof rum, are undeniably stronger than vodka. With 95% alcohol by volume, Everclear, a grain alcohol made in the U.S., is shockingly potent, but it’s not the strongest liquor in the world. Across the globe, distillers amp up the alcohol content of rums, vodkas, absinthes, whiskeys, and more to create eye-wateringly high-proof products.

The smooth and creamy essence of handpicked potatoes forms the foundation, providing a rich and earthy taste. This is complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and a touch of citrus, creating a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess that dances on the palate. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka 151 is distilled in small batches using traditional copper pot stills, ensuring exceptional quality and purity.

It’s filtered twice through quartz sand and a silver filter with a long and crisp, vanilla-tinted finish. With its great taste and premium packaging, Beluga promises a great vodka for sipping on an evening or giving as a present. You should also take a look at our review of New Amsterdam vodka if you want another great value bottle. An excellent brand of vodka to keep in the liquor cabinet at all times. A James Bond-approved premium Polish vodka brand with a smooth finish. While it’s distilled in Russia, it’s bottled and brought to proof in Latvia.

Although some spirits, like absinthe and overproof rum, can have ABVs significantly higher than vodka, many popular spirits fall within the same ABV range as vodka or even lower. For example, liqueurs like amaretto or triple sec often have much lower alcohol content than vodka, despite their rich and complex flavors. Vodka, due to its high alcohol content and lack of flavoring, is quickly absorbed by the body when consumed straight or with minimal mixers. This rapid absorption can lead to faster intoxication, especially if consumed in large amounts over a short period.

• This is the higher-proof version of the classic Absolut premium vodka commonly used in bars and restaurants.
• While its ridiculously high alcohol percentage means Spirytus can’t be drunk neat, it can work as a good base for cocktails when used minimally.
• This fermentation process can take anything from one day to two weeks before the liquid is purified to remove any odors or off-notes.
• It hails from Luxco, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and is prized for its versatility.
• And to get a general idea of which vodkas other experts like most, we read through reviews from Liquor.com, Punch, Food Network, and Imbibe magazine.
• Despite the lore behind it, absinthe can’t really make you hallucinate, but it used to be made so boozy that people truly thought they were tripping.

• Tasting them only adds to the differences between tequila vs. vodka.
• Good vodka is pretty neutral, and while there is a bit of bluntness to the aftertaste here, the vodka base is quality enough that it doesn’t stain the palate between sips.
• Offers an unparalleled experience in the world of super-strength absinthe.
• Drinks with a high ABV should be diluted with water or other mixers to dilute them to an acceptable level, preferably 40% ABV or below.
• Its high alcohol base means that Spirytus certainly comes with a bite and should not be drunk without being heavily diluted first.
• In terms of pure alcohol content, vodka and most common spirits (whiskey, rum, gin, tequila) are usually comparable, with ABVs around 40%.

Embrace the allure of Balkan 176 Vodka and let its exceptional craftsmanship redefine your appreciation for high-proof spirits. Ingredients listings for alcoholic products are not mandatory, so additional care is necessary. So to be safe, tipplers with gluten sensitivity should choose specialty vodkas made from potatoes, corn, or grapes (like Cirac, Tito’s, and Crystal Head) and avoid single distilled spirits. Or they can opt for gluten-free vodka brands with an extensive distillation process, like Grey Goose or Burnett’s. The Muff Irish Vodka is an 80-proof spirit known for its clean, crisp flavor profile, which makes it the perfect choice for mixing and sipping.

At this elevated level of ABV, the mixture of ethanol and water becomes a minimum-boiling azeotrope. Azeotropes are a mixture of two or more liquids whose proportions cannot be altered or changed by simple distillation. Make the most of this subtle sweetness by using Crystal Head for the perfect Cosmopolitan. Mix it with triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice before shaking it with ice into a cocktail glass and serving it with a lime wedge.