Vodka is known to be the strongest spirit. Typically sold at 80 proof, certain brands bottle their vodka at 100 proof. However, you will be surprised to know that 100 proof is not the limit.
In your search for the highest proof spirit, you will come across Everclear. Naturally, you will be wondering just what Everclear is and why Everclear is such a strong spirit. Here is what I found!
What Is Everclear?
Everclear is a rectified spirit bottled at 190 proof or 95% ABV. Additionally, Everclear is not classified as either vodka or whiskey. Technically, Everclear is a neutral grain alcohol, which is the form a spirit takes before the alcohol is diluted with water. Due to Everclear’s high alcohol content, some variations of Everclear are banned in certain states in the USA.
If you are curious to learn more about Everclear and what makes Everclear different from other spirits, keep reading!
What Is Everclear Made Of?
Everclear is made from corn, although there’s no confirmation yet if Everclear mixes corn with other grains. So far, all that has been verified is that Everclear is made from 100% grains.
Additionally, Everclear does not disclose the type of water used to dilute Everclear spirits.
What Is The Proof Of Everclear?
Everclear is bottled at different proofs, all of them higher than the typical 80 proof of most vodkas and other spirits.
Specifically, Everclear spirits have an alcohol by volume of 60%, 75.5%, 94.5%, and 95%. In proof, these are 120, 151, 189, and 190 respectively.
What Does Everclear Taste Like?
Given Everclear’s high alcohol content, Everclear tastes mostly like pepper with a burning aftertaste. However, some people say Everclear is completely tasteless and odorless.
Nonetheless, it is also because of Everclear’s alcohol content that cocktails with Everclear-based liqueurs usually taste better.
While Everclear does not have a distinct taste, Everclear can enhance the flavors of the beverages and other ingredients you mix with Everclear.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the alcohol content of a spirit, the better the spirit is at amplifying the taste of whatever the spirit is mixed with.
How Much Everclear Should I Drink To Get Drunk?
Different people have different tolerances to alcohol. Additionally, determining the amount of Everclear that will get you drunk depends on your gender, weight, food intake, and more.
Nonetheless, it is expected that it will require fewer shots of Everclear to get a woman drunk compared to a man.
If an average woman will get drunk after 5 shots of 80 proof vodka, it would require around 1 or 2 shots of Everclear to show signs of intoxication.
As for men, it normally takes around 10 shots of 80 proof vodka to get drunk. If they are drinking Everclear, it is estimated that 3 shots or less will cause severe drunkenness.
However, Everclear’s high alcohol content makes Everclear dangerous to take as shots. If you want to drink Everclear, it is recommended that you use Everclear to make a liqueur.
Furthermore, Everclear should not be used to make mixed drinks or cocktails because it is easy to underestimate how potent Everclear is.
Is Everclear Just Vodka?
Everclear is not vodka. Technically, Everclear is a neutral grain spirit or a rectified spirit because Everclear is bottled with a minimum ABV of 95% or 190 proof.
While Everclear has 120 proof spirits, they are still officially classified as a neutral grain spirit, not a vodka.
Nonetheless, people still interchange rectified spirits with vodka because vodka is simply a rectified spirit that has been diluted to bottling proof.
Does Everclear Taste Worse Than Vodka?
For most people, Everclear is tasteless, making Everclear easier to drink than vodka. However, some people think Everclear tastes like rubbing alcohol on its own.
Ultimately, it depends on the person whether Everclear tastes better or worse than vodka.
Is Everclear Vodka Or Whiskey?
Everclear is neither vodka nor whiskey.
Legally, vodka and whiskey are bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. While vodka has a neutral flavor like Everclear, whiskey has rich flavors containing sweet vanilla and oak notes.
In comparison, Everclear has a much higher ABV and has none of the subtle notes and flavors of vodka and whiskey.
Is Everclear Absinthe?
Everclear is not absinthe. Absinthe is a high-proof spirit made by distilling neutral alcohol with anise, wormwood, and fennel.
Compared to absinthe, Everclear has no taste and Everclear is significantly higher in ABV.
Is Everclear The Same As Moonshine?
Everclear is not the same as moonshine, as moonshine refers to homemade whiskey.
What Do You Mix With Everclear?
Everclear is usually mixed with non-alcoholic beverages like fresh fruit juices, sparkling water, lime soda, and colas to create liqueur.
Moreover, it is not recommended that you mix Everclear with energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages.
What Is Everclear Used For?
Everclear is typically used to create liqueur or vodka. However, some consumers use Everclear for a host of other reasons.
Some people purchase Everclear to make homemade deodorants and air fresheners. Still, others use Everclear to kill bugs and create all-purpose cleaning solutions.
Is Everclear The Strongest Alcohol?
Everclear is not the strongest alcohol in the market. With a proof of 192, the vodka brand Spirytus Rektyfikowany eclipses Everclear by a small margin.
Why Is Everclear So Bad?
A lot of people think Everclear is bad or dangerous because Everclear’s high alcohol content can lead to severe drunkenness and even death when not taken in moderation.
What States Is Everclear Illegal In?
On account of the blood poisoning and overdose incidents that have transpired because of Everclear, numerous US states have banned Everclear, which includes:
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- New York
- California
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Florida
- Maine
- Washington
Can You Buy Everclear 190 Proof In California?
Since Everclear is illegal in California, you cannot purchase Everclear in 190 proof. However, you can purchase Everclear in California if the Everclear is only 151 proof.
Take a look at our related articles to learn what a vodka martini dirty is, what diluted vodka is, and what distilled vodka is.
Conclusion
Everclear is a rectified spirit that is commonly mistaken as vodka, whiskey, and absinthe. Additionally, Everclear is not a spirit, but a brand name.
With a staggeringly high alcohol content of 95% ABV or 190 proof, Everclear is a spirit that should not be taken straight. Instead, Everclear should be used to create other spirits or liqueurs.