1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

13

By rectified Spirits, is not meant the usual Spirits of Wine, though now sold by our rectifiers, in some respects, under the same regulation. The difference between the two articles in their manu- facture is, that the rectified Spirits of which I now speak, is distilled from better and cleaner Spirits, arid afterwards rectified to extract the essential oil, ir>order to render it as tasteless as possible; whilst ^--Spirits of Wine is generally made, from the feints and refuse of all other Spirits and Compounds put together; and undergoes, only the simple process of distillation. It is sold under the denomination of and is to be bought at twenty-five per cent, overproof for about 15s. 7d. per gallon, including ihe overproof; and, therefore, when re- duced to proof, costs only 12s. 5d. per gallon, as the following will show : L. s. d. 100 gals, of Rectified Spirits at 15*. 7rf. . . 77 18 4 25 gals, of water to reduce it to proof makes up 125 gals, proof Rectified Spirits at ~~12s. 5K T&y is . 77 18 4 It may be requisite, however, just to observe, that, all dealers are restricted from keeping Rectified Spi- rits in stock, or sending it out at a less strength than it is received in at. But as the retailer has to render no other account of its disposal to his Excise Officer, (should there be a decrease), when the stock is taken, than is afforded by the permits he has had occasion to draw for sending out two gallons of it or upwards, such a restriction does not in the least interfere with his means of using it in any Spirit he pleases. up the flavor, but comparatively in small quantities, as it is exceedingly powerful : it is usually composed of plain Spirits, British Brandy Bitters is used to fill

Rectified

Spirits.

British

v

Brandy Bitters.