It was initially supplied at a strength of 100 degrees (UK) proof, 57% alcohol by volume (ABV), as that was the only strength that could be tested (by the gunpowder test) before the invention of the hydrometer.

Navy rum was originally a blend mixed from rums produced in the West Indies.

Note: Gunpowder Proofing a Navy Rum was an old concept, where Rum poured over Gun powder would not wet the gun powder and when lit, the gun powder will catch fire once the alcohol has burnt. Overproof Rums are not meant to be drank neat or even as a base spirit, the alcohol concentration is too high, but it can add special character to mixed drinks.īacardi 151 was a famous overproof Rum and although it has been discontinued in 2016, there are other pretty famous brands like Lemon Hart 151, Hamilton 151, Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum and Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof. Overproof Rums are highly inflammable and are usually used in cocktails as a top layer meant to be ignited and burst into flames, rendering a charred flavour to the drink while arousing awe and interest by quite a fire show. Overproof Rums are Rums with a much higher alcohol concentration which is usually greater than 57.5% but although 151 proof means 75.5% ABV, most Rums with 57.5% Alcohol are labelled as 151. Sloe Gin is the only non-Gin product that is still legally allowed to be called a Gin, despite the fact that it is a Gin based liqueur and is often even made with neutral grain spirits in place of Gin. EU established standard requires a minimum of 25% ABV for the liqueur to be recognised as a Sloe Gin. The liqueur is then decanted carefully to eliminate all sediments and a clear red liqueur is left. Sloes are Plum like fruits which are traditionally picked after the first frost of winter in late October, pricked traditionally with a thorn from the blackthorn bush on which sloes grow, then put in a jar with sugar and gin and steeped for at least three months while turning the jar every day initially, then every week until ready. Sloe Gin is not a Gin, it's a British liqueur made with gin and sloes. The smoky overtones in Scoth comes from drying the malted barley using peat smoke, but peat is rarely used in the malting process in Ireland, leaving a few like Connemara peated Irish malt whiskey and Pearse Whiskey. Irish Whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smoky, earthy overtones of a Scotch. Irish Mist is a whiskey liqueur created using one such original recipe, but by current standards, although it is created just like early Irish Whisky was made with herbal infusions, it'll be categorised as a liqueur.Īlthough it seems like Whiskey has been produced in Ireland since 1000 CE but the first written record of it can be found from 1405 in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, that is a good 89 years before Scotland. The early Irish Whiskey was not what it is today and it was more a distilled whiskey infused with herbs such as thyme, anise or mint.

Irish Whiskey was one of the earliest distilled drinks in Europe, it is believed that the Irish Monks brought the technique of perfume distillation back to Ireland from Southern France and modified that to distill drinkable alcohol. Irish Whiskey or Uisce Beatha ( same as French Eau de vie or Water of Life ) was the most popular spirit of the world once,

Shillelagh drink