As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have a deep understanding of the distillation process and the production of various alcoholic beverages, including moonshine. Moonshine, traditionally made in homemade stills, is known for its high alcohol content and potency. However, it is important to note that the strength of moonshine is limited by the distillation process itself.
The strongest concentration of ethanol that can be achieved through distillation is approximately 191 proof. Proof is a measure of the alcohol content and is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. Therefore, 191 proof moonshine contains about 95.5% alcohol. This high proof is obtained by running the liquid through a still multiple times, a process known as “multiple distillation.”
To give you some context, a typical bottle of vodka available in stores usually has an alcohol content of around 40% (80 proof). So, 191 proof moonshine is significantly stronger than commercially produced spirits.
However, it is important to understand that achieving a higher proof, such as 200 proof or “pure” ethanol, is not possible through traditional moonshine production methods. The reason for this limitation lies in the properties of ethanol and the distillation process.
Ethanol forms an azeotrope, which is a constant-boiling mixture, with water at approximately 95.6% ethanol by volume. This means that no matter how many times you distill the liquid, you cannot separate the remaining water from the ethanol to achieve a higher alcohol concentration. In other words, the distillation process alone cannot produce 200 proof moonshine.
To obtain pure ethanol, different methods such as molecular sieves, desiccants, or specialized distillation techniques are employed. These methods are commonly used in industrial settings and require advanced equipment and knowledge.
While the production of pure ethanol is possible, it is not the traditional method used to make moonshine. Moonshine, historically made in homemade stills by individuals in rural areas, is known for its rough, unrefined character. It often carries the flavors and impurities from the base ingredients used, such as corn or fruits.
The strongest concentration of moonshine that can be achieved through traditional distillation methods is around 191 proof. This high alcohol content is obtained by running the liquid through a still multiple times. However, it is important to note that the production of pure ethanol, such as 200 proof moonshine, is not achievable through traditional moonshine production methods. Specialized techniques and equipment are required to obtain pure ethanol.