2007-07-21 16:48:06 · 8 answers · asked by hackerx361 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Proof is something that has been around for a long time. A whiskey or other spirit burns when it is 57.15% or more alcohol. So back in the days before the alcohol amounts were regulated by the government, bars would water down there alcohol so they could sell more and earn more profit.
When a person decided that they were going to have a shot of whiskey they wanted to make sure that they were getting their moneys worth. So what they would do it set it on fire using gun powder. If it did not burn, that would mean that it was either not distilled properly, or that it was watered down. If it did burn, that would mean that would be the 100% proof that it was at least 50% alcohol. That is way 50% alcohol is 100 proof and so on.
If a whiskey company decides that they want to change the amount of alcohol in a whiskey, they will change the distilling process. It is actually up to the company that is producing the alcohol as to how strong they want to make it, but if they want to make it stronger than 80 proof, then they have to pay extra taxes. If they make it less than 80, people might not drink it. That is why you find many spirits at 80 proof.
2007-07-21 17:09:23 · answer #1 · answered by Jamphan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not get carried away with looking to deeply into this.
"proof" is an actual measurement of alcohol content.
The alcohol content is exactly 1/2 of the proof. So, 100% proof is 50% alcohol, etc.
So, the answer is, "Who ever decides the alcohol contant for that whiskey's recipe.'
2007-07-21 19:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by thepolishchef 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The master distiller for those companies. They usually will always cut the proof to the same proof every time. This is to ensure consistency, and not having to change packaging (it is required by law for the alc% be on the label).
2007-07-22 05:18:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
American proof is different to British proof. 100% alcohol is 200 Am Proof but 174 proof British so beware of comparing Bourbon to Scotch.
2007-07-21 22:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by ciderman_nz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
200 proof =100% alcohol by vol
2007-07-21 17:08:31 · answer #5 · answered by vincent c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The manufacturer.
Many manufacturers make their whiskey in different strengths.
2007-07-21 16:58:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The distiller.
2007-07-21 16:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conservative Republicans? Just a thought.
2007-07-21 17:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋