Vodka is a spirit that is never short on variety. Apart from the traditional unflavored 80-proof vodkas, there are flavored vodkas and the increasingly popular 100 proof vodka.
Moreover, there is Spirytus Vodka, which is a brand that has carved a niche for itself in the market. If you are wondering what Spirytus Vodka is, I looked into it, and here is what I found!
What Is Spirytus Vodka?
Spirytus Rektyfikowany or Spirytus Vodka for short is a 192 proof vodka that is recognized as the strongest spirit in the world. Additionally, Spirytus is owned by Awkwawit Pomos-Wroclaw, which used to be under the Polmos monopoly in Poland until 1989. Given Spirytus Vodka’s high ABV, Spirytus Vodka is typically used to create liquor, liqueur, and cleaning and medicinal solvents.
In case you are curious to know more about Spirytus Vodka’s origins and what sets Spirytus Vodka apart from other vodka brands, keep reading!
How Do You Pronounce Spirytus Vodka?
Spirytus Vodka, which is officially Spirytus Rektyfikowany, is pronounced as SPAY-rih-toos WRECK-tyh-fiq-o-va-nyh.
What Kind of Liquor Is Spirytus?
Spirytus is officially classified as vodka, but given Spirytus’ high alcohol content, Spirytus Vodka can also be categorized as a rectified spirit.
What Proof Is Spirytus Vodka?
Spirytus Vodka has 96% alcohol by volume or 192 proof.
Is Spirytus Alcoholic?
Since Spirytus Vodka contains alcohol and in higher amounts than the average vodka, Spirytus is considered alcoholic.
How Much Alcohol Is In A Shot Of Spirytus?
A shot of Spirytus Vodka has 96% alcohol.
Is Spirytus Vodka Drinkable?
While Spirytus Vodka has an incredibly high alcohol content, Spirytus Vodka is drinkable.
Nonetheless, it is not recommended that you drink Spirytus Vodka straight either as shots or as a sipper.
Generally, vodkas like Spirytus that have over 100 proof are best used as a base spirit for cocktails or liqueurs.
Diluting Spirytus Vodka is important because overconsumption can easily lead to severe intoxication and even worse side effects.
How Many Times Is Spirytus Distilled?
Currently, there is no mention of how many times Spirytus Vodka is distilled. However, it is safe to assume that Spirytus Vodka is distilled repeatedly until Spirytus Vodka reaches its peak purity.
What Does Spirytus Vodka Taste Like?
Given the high alcohol content of Spirytus Vodka, no flavoring or traces from its base ingredient remains in it to give Spirytus any taste.
While some people claim that Spirytus is tasteless, others report that Spirytus Vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol.
However, everyone confirmed that Spirytus Vodka has a burning aftertaste that is painful to the throat and the stomach.
How Do You Drink Spirytus?
Spirytus Vodka is ideally used in creating other vodkas or liquors for personal consumption. While you can use Spirytus Vodka to make cocktails, you have to take precautions.
Generally, a spirit like Spirytus with 96% ABV can easily cause alcohol poisoning. When used in cocktails, there is a high chance that you will underestimate your alcohol consumption.
However, Spirytus Vodka is safe to consume when used as the base spirit for a liqueur provided that you follow a reliable recipe.
Additionally, Spirytus Vodka’s high alcohol content is proven to improve the taste of the fruits, vegetables, and botanicals Spirytus Vodka is infused with.
Generally, the higher the alcohol content of the spirit, the better it is at enhancing the taste of whatever the alcohol is mixed with, as well as bringing out previously overlooked notes.
Who Makes Spirytus Vodka?
Spirytus Vodka is made by Akwawit Polmos-Wroclaw. Originally, Akwawit Polmos was owned by a Polish state-owned monopoly called Polski Monopol Spirytusowy.
After World War II, the Polski Monopol Spirytusowy turned into an absolute monopoly and was called Polmos for short, and this lasted until the end of communism in 1989.
Following the end of Polmos, it was divided into independent enterprising entities, one of which was Awkwawit Pomos-Wroclaw.
Since the founding of Akwawit Polmos-Wroclaw, it has been responsible for brands like Spirytus Rektyfikowany, Krakus, Arkitca, Wratislavia, Abstynent, and Faust.
Why Is Spirytus Vodka Made?
Rectified spirits like Spirytus Vodka are made to serve as the base spirit for other alcoholic drinks and also as a critical ingredient for household solvents and medicinal tinctures.
However, homemade products that use Spirytus cannot be sold, especially if they are in the form of liquor or liqueur.
When Was Spirytus Vodka Made?
Currently, there is no mention of when Spirytus Vodka was launched either in Poland or in the United States.
However, Spirytus has been around since 1947 during the Cold War. Moreover, Spirytus was used by soldiers to make cheap liquor and other DIY mosquito and cold remedies.
Given this information, it is safe to assume that Sprityus was widely distributed in Poland a year or so before the Cold War.
Where Is Spirytus Made?
Spirytus Vodka is made in Poland. However, there is no information as to the specific location of the distillery that produces Spirytus Vodka.
Nonetheless, since Spirytus is owned by Akwawit-Polmos, it can be assumed that Spirytus is also being produced in their Wroclaw distillery.
How Much Is A Bottle Of Spirytus?
Spirytus Vodka’s price varies depending on where you buy it. Typically, a 750-ml bottle of Spirytus Vodka costs around $21.99.
Is Spirytus Legal In The US?
Spirytus Vodka is sold in states like New York and New Jersey, but there are still a lot of US states that have not approved the sale of Spirytus Vodka due to Spirytus Vodka’s potential dangers.
Is Spirytus Legal In The UK?
Spirytus Vodka is mainly being sold in the UK through online stores. Currently, there is no mention of specific places in the UK where Spirytus is either legal or illegal.
Why Is Spirytus Vodka Illegal?
Spirytus Vodka is illegal in several places because Spirytus Vodka’s high alcohol content can cause alcohol poisoning, especially to unsuspecting teenagers.
One of the most sensationalized cases related to Spirytus Vodka is the death of Nicole Bicknell of Perth, Australia.
Bicknell reportedly had only a few shots of Spirytus Vodka on her 18th birthday before she collapsed and eventually died.
Read our related articles to see a complete list of the highest proof vodkas, if Grey Goose is the best vodka, and a complete list of vodkas made from corn.
Conclusion
Spirytus Vodka is a spirit best used to create liqueurs, cleaning solvents, and medicinal tinctures. For safety reasons, Spirytus Vodka should not be taken neat.
Additionally, Spirytus Vodka is illegal in a lot of places to prevent the irresponsible usage of drinkers, especially teenagers.
Nonetheless, when used correctly, Spirytus Vodka can make liquors and liqueurs delicious simply because of Spirytus Vodka’s high alcohol content.