BEVERAGES 133 



juniper, coriander seeds, capsicum, etc., with or without 

 the subsequent addition of cane sugar (to sweeten it). It 

 acts on the kidneys. Alcohol, 30 to 40 per cent. Hollands 

 and Schnapps are varieties from rye. 



Proof Spirit is a term in use for excise purposes, denoting 

 a dilute spirit of definite strength. It contains of absolute 

 alcohol if expressed as (i) Volume in volume, 57-05 per cent ; 

 (i in 1*753) ; (2) Weight in volume, 42-46 per cent (i in 

 2 '355) ' (3) Weight in weight, 49-25 per cent (i in 2-03). 

 Spirits weaker than proof spirit are said to be under proof, 

 and when stronger to be over proof. Sp. gr., 919-8 at 15 C. 

 Whisky containing 60 per cent of alcohol volume in 

 volume, is equal per 100 measures to 60 X 1-753 = 105-18 

 measures of proof spirit, and is said to be 5-18 over 

 proof ; but if it contains only 30 per cent of alcohol volume 

 in volume, then 100 volumes less 52-59 47-41 under proof. 



ANALYSIS. 



Alcohol. By direct distillation after diluting sample 

 with an equal bulk of water to prevent loss of alcohol 

 from too rapid evolution and imperfect condensation. By 

 the Sale of Food and Drugs Amendment Act, 1879, 

 brandy, whisky, and rum must not be weaker than 25 

 under proof ( = 75 per cent proof spirit) , and gin not weaker 

 than 35 under proof (= 65 per cent proof spirit). 



Acidity. The fixed may be determined on the residue 

 from the distillation by titration with N/io baryta or soda, 

 and phenolphthalein. The volatile is got by titrating the 

 sample, deducting the number of c.c. required for fixed 

 acid, and calculating as acetic acid. The fixed is returned 

 as tartaric acid. Spirits should not contain any fixed acid. 



Total Solids. Evaporate on the water-bath and dry to 

 constant weight in water-oven. 



Ash. Ignite residue. 



Ethers (compound). These are calculated as so many 

 parts per 100,000 of alcohol, and the usual amount in 

 brandy is about 100, in whisky from 10 to 90, and in rum 

 the extremes are as great as 30 to 400. 



Furfurol is an aldehyde, and is present in pot-still, 

 but not in patent-still spirit. It is tested for by adding 

 10 drops of colourless aniline oil to 10 c.c. of distillate 

 (made down to 50 per cent of alcohol), and i c.c. of acetic 



