Grain spirit
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. |
Neutral grain spirits (a.k.a. pure grain alcohol or grain neutral spirits) or corn liquor refers to a clear liquid distilled at a high ethyl alcohol content. The term neutral refers to the substance's neutral odor. The grain from which it is derived can be any of the common cereal grains, though corn may be most common. Many distilled spirits (such as whisky) are distilled at lower alcohol percentages to preserve the flavor of the mash. Essentially, the mash medium used to make neutral grain spirits is irrelevant to the character of the final product.
Everclear is an example of a brand of neutral grain spirits sold in the United States. Neutral grain spirits can exist in a variety of proofs. It is often used to mix into other beverages because drinking undiluted neutral grain spirits in shots can be harmful over a period of time. Additionally, a great deal of moonshine is made of corn, and is thus corn liquor.
Availability in different markets
Because of the high alcohol content of pure grain alcohol, it is unavailable, illegal or difficult to find in some areas.
- In the US state of Virginia, while not illegal, grain alcohol lacking distinctive color, odor, and flavor is not sold at any liquor stores owned by the Commonwealth (compare, for example, that beverages such as Southern Comfort, a flavored liqueur using grain alcohol as its base, can be found). As the state has a self-legislated monopoly on the sale of hard liquors, independent liquor stores are illegal, and the pFUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
on one's person from nearby states.[1]
- In Continental Europe neutral grain spirit is unavailable under that name, but European rectified spirit is very often derived from grain, so it is in fact neutral grain spirit.