What's the lowest proof whiskey you've seen?

[Robmo]

Recently I came across a couple of low-end Japanese whiskeys at 74 proof and 78 proof. I was a little surprised the proof could go so low.

Have you found anything lower that calls itself whiskey?

[kickert]

In the US, a whiskey must be at least 80 proof.

[BourbonJoe]

80 proof and it almost made me sick to look at it.

Joe :usflag:

[craigthom]

I believe that Australia allows whiskey to be sold at 70 proof. I can't find evidence that Jim Beam is 70 proof there, but I did find that Cougar Bourbon Whiskey, made for Fosters by our friends at LDI, is 74 proof.

[camduncan]

I believe that Australia allows whiskey to be sold at 70 proof. I can't find evidence that Jim Beam is 70 proof there, but I did find that Cougar Bourbon Whiskey, made for Fosters by our friends at LDI, is 74 proof.

37% (or 74 proof) is our standard proof for Jim Beam White and several other brands.

[OscarV]

37% (or 74 proof) is our standard proof for Jim Beam White and several other brands.

At 74 proof does the label on that Jim Beam say "Straight Bourbon"?

[NeoTexan]

Is'nt below 80 proof "light whiskey"?

[Pieface]

At 74 proof does the label on that Jim Beam say "Straight Bourbon"?

Yes Oscar it does. The distilleries don't seem to have any qualms about taking advantage of our differing liquor laws. Be happy that bourbon and straight whiskies are subject to stringent standards over there

[callmeox]

Is'nt below 80 proof "light whiskey"?

Light whiskey = 160+ proof off the still (and some other rules)

[squire]

I thought whisky labeled as Bourbon in Europe was allowed to be as low as 70 proof.

[Robmo]

Here's a question for the historians out there. The US Congress legislated in 1964 that bourbon must be bottled at at least 80 proof. Were there a lot of American whiskeys before then that were less than 80?

(This is an honest question I don't know the answer to, not a quiz!)

[NeoTexan]

Light whiskey = 160+ proof off the still (and some other rules)

That's right ... I thought the regs had some designation for less than 80 proof. Was it "diluted bourbon"? Anyone have the regs handy?

[mier]

In Europe whisky has to be 80(US)proof,40% alc.by vol,if not it is not allowed to call it whisky,beside USproof there is also UKproof differs slightly from the American system but in the ECstandard alcohol is measured nowadays in alc by volume,USproof 80=40%abv.In the Netherlands a whisky(grain or malted) under 40% is called a malt/grain drink,like Maltky,Royal dark etc. that are looked upon as cheap

imitationwhiskies once popular with the "lower classes"(excuse me for this choice of words),once made 100% out of grain now partly made of both grain and neutral spirit out of molasses.

Eric.

[squire]

Thanks mier, I was mildly curious about that.

[Rutter]

In the UK near enough all of our low end spirits, scotch included are sold at 37.5% ABV, I am at a loss as to why this abv was chosen but I have heard it is due to tax reasons.

Us Brits tend to go on a "booze cruise" where we hop on a ferry in our car and sail over to Calais in northern France whereupon we visit their supermarches and fill our cars up with cheaper and higher proof beer and spirits and sail back, with the only French being muttered a cheery Merci to the supermarket attendant!

FYI

A bottle of Gordon’s gin bought in the UK is 37.5% proof.

A bottle of Gordon’s gin bought in France is 47.5% proof.

The reason is purely a tax avoidance tactic by the producers. If gin sold in the UK had 47.5% proof, the tax on a 70cl bottle would be £6.50, instead of £5.13. A saving of £1.37!

Don't get me wrong there are plenty of bottles being sold at 40+%ABV it is as I say the lower end of the market that takes the 37.5% bracket but it exists and is the norm for all low end spirits here to be 37.5%

[Jwilly019]

Here in Ohio there are plenty of 42 proof spirits in many grocery stores, including whiskey. All of it is, or course, labeled as "diluted"

[2highcal]

While I would never buy it I have seen FIREBALL CINNAMON WHSKY @ $19.45 @66proof