Which type of alcohol is better

Alcohols are a huge group of chemicals. True, in common parlance, this concept often refers to ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is a colorless liquid with bactericidal and disinfecting properties. Ethanol is actively used for the preparation of various alcoholic beverages (most often vodka), in perfumery, medicine, electronics and other industries.

It should be noted that the quality of alcohol directly depends on the degree of purification and raw materials. To create food ethanol, raw materials rich in carbohydrates are used: rye, wheat, corn, oats, sugar beets, potatoes, all kinds of fruits, black syrup (molasses). This takes into account the characteristics of the components. Elite brands should be made from rye and wheat, and the addition of molasses, beets or potatoes reduces the quality.

Varieties

Ethyl alcohol is a widely used component in alcoholic beverages. Therefore, it is he who falls under the requirements of standardization and is subdivided into types according to GOSTs. Let's consider the most widespread in our country varieties of vodka alcohols "Lux", "Extra" and "Alpha". In addition, we will identify their differences, weaknesses and strengths. Let's study them from the point of view of their use in vodka drinks.

What is the difference between Alfa and Lux ​​alcohol?

Alfa alcohol is a product of high quality raw materials that has undergone effective purification. It should be noted that it is made from cereals. As a rule, these are rye and wheat. In addition, alcohol is based directly on grains and crops, without the addition of all kinds of chemical additives and chemicals.

Comparing Alfa and Lux ​​spirits, it can also be noted that vodka from the former is very difficult to find on the shelves of our stores, which cannot be said about the latter. Although there are about 12 enterprises that use only Alfa alcohol in their products.

"Lux" is a kind of mixture that includes potatoes and cereals. An interesting point is that it is very often used in the preparation of balms and medicinal tinctures. Since it is almost universal, it is used by many companies for the production of alcoholic beverages, vodka in particular. It ranks second in the quality rating. But still it is impossible to say unequivocally which is better. Alcohol "Lux" and "Alpha", as you can see, have certain advantages.

"Alpha"

Alcohol is made from rye or wheat grains, periodically from a mixture of them. Potatoes are not used in its production. Indeed, this product contains pectin, which is subsequently processed into methanol. This, perhaps, is the main difference between Lux and Alpha alcohols.

What's better? Of course, the purer product comes from Alpha.It is he who is the basis of premium and super class vodkas. Alcohol is purified in several stages and is the raw material of the fifth generation. And if you are wondering which component is used for Finlandia vodka - alcohol Alfa or Lux, then the answer is obvious - it is the first one.

At the same time, for the super-premium class, it is supposed to purify both the ethyl part and water. These are important steps. For it, purification with precious metals or water from unique sources is used.

"Lux"

We continue to find out which is better. Alcohol "Lux" and "Alpha", as mentioned above, primarily differ in composition. The first is made from wheat grain with the addition of potatoes. At the same time, the percentage of starch is a maximum of 35%, but it is definitely present. In this case, filtration takes place in several stages. This alcohol is used for the premium segment and is always presented as a product made according to a unique recipe.

This statement of the manufacturers should not be taken with distrust, because due to the effective purification technology of vodka from "Lux" the taste is actually unique.

"Extra"

It is made from potatoes and wheat grains. As a percentage, the ratio is much higher than that of "Lux", while it should not be more than 60%. This is an alcohol of mass consumption.

The vodka made from it does not reach the premium in terms of the characteristics of its content. Although it is also of high quality and has its own individual characteristics. For its manufacture, depending on the manufacturer's company, all kinds of filtering natural products and spring water are used, which give it a taste.

High purity alcohol

We found out what is the difference between Alfa and Lux ​​alcohol, and also examined the characteristics of the highest quality ethyl products. But they forgot about the highest purity alcohol. With all its pretentious name, it undergoes the worst filtration and contains various esters and fusel components. This is the alcohol of the lowest segment, with a low quality indicator.

Taste characteristics

We have already reviewed the classification of alcohols - "Alpha," Lux "," Extra ". If we talk about the taste characteristics of vodka made from different raw materials, you need to understand that the cheaper the drink, the less natural ingredients it contains. For example, "Lux" and "Alpha" is an ethyl composition made by natural fermentation from malt. Add here spring water, several different ingredients and we get great taste, a lot of positive emotions and no hangover.

The situation is different with "Extra". Malt is replaced here by various enzymes, while they are not always organic, and the water is great if it comes from a local spring or artesian source. From such a basis, drinks are obtained that give the whole gamut of living a morning hangover, often have a scent and a sharp taste and do not differ in the aesthetics of packaging. Well, here it is also obvious that the best alcohol is Lux and Alpha.

And their main difference is that the price tag varies greatly. "Lux" and "Alpha" are presented by expensive vodka, in original containers, with branded packaging. The last option is a consumer product and has a low cost, a simple bottle and a nondescript label, since the principle of the segment is economy that there is no point in overpaying.

All 3 types of ethyl alcohol were not invented for nothing. They satisfy the consumer demand of any budget and create a balance. And the buyers only have to decide whether we want to enjoy this noble drink without feeling any discomfort in the morning, or are going to forget what the drink is more suitable for.

Quality checking

This is actually possible. You don't even need to open the bottle for this. You just need to shake up the liquid directly in the container. The amount of bubbles and foam when shaking should be very low as real alcohol prevents foam from forming.This kind of technique will help you determine the quality of the vodka in front of you.

Hangover

Alcohol can be very high quality, but it is still harmful. What is a hangover, and how does it affect a person? This is the moment when alcohol stopped actively spreading throughout the body, and began to be slowly processed. This process is accompanied by severe headache, dizziness, profuse sweating and nausea.

Returning again to the varieties of alcohol, I must say that the hangover from high-quality vodka will be much weaker than from low-quality vodka. Therefore, if use is inevitable, then you need to drink a proven product, since the consequences for the body in this case are less dangerous.

The next important aspect is the snack. It plays an important role in a person's tolerance of alcohol intoxication. There can be no exact advice as each organism is completely unique. But the appetizer should be not weak, moderate, however, and not particularly plentiful. It is in this case that it will be safest to overcome the stages of intoxication.

Hello dear readers! Developing the topic of the quality of alcoholic beverages, I decided to take a closer look at the very heart of any vodka, its basis. The article will focus on which alcohol is better than Alfa Lux or Extra and to create which drinks it is used.

Do you think that the highest purity alcohol is the best? Do you think that each species is equally cleansed and safe for the body? Be patient, I will tell you a few secrets, knowing which you will radically change your views on vodka and the principle of its choice!

Varieties of alcohol and their differences

Ethyl alcohol is a component that is widely used in alcoholic beverages. That is why it falls under the mandatory requirements of standardization and is divided into types according to GOST R 51652-2000. Let's take the most common varieties in the Russian Federation and study their differences, strengths and weaknesses. A small table of characteristics will help with this.

Index	Alcohol Extra	Alcohol Lux	Alpha alcohol
Ethanol content,%	from 96.3	from 96.3	from 96.3
Methanol content%	up to 0.02	up to 0.02	up to 0.003
Mass fraction of aldehydes mg / dm3	up to 2	up to 2	up to 2
Mass fraction of fusel oils in mg / dm3	up to 5	up to 5	up to 5
Oxidability, min at 20ᵒС	up to 20	up to 22	up to 20
Mass fraction of esters mg / dm3	to 10	up to 5	to 10
Mass fraction of free acids%	up to 12	up to 8	up to 12

The differences are not significant, but this is only at first glance. Take a closer look and you will see that the methyl alcohol in Alpha is almost 10 times less than in other varieties. And, as you know, methanol is a terrible poison, even in small doses leading to blindness or even death.

Let us consider the varieties of alcohol in more detail, from the point of view of their use in various qualities of vodka drinks.

1. Alpha

Alcohol based on wheat or rye grains, sometimes mixtures thereof. The advantages of Alpha and the main differences from the rest of the ethyl raw materials are that potatoes are not used in its production. Potatoes contain pectin, which is subsequently processed into methanol.

It is this kind of alcohol that is the basis of Super and Premium class vodkas. It is purified in several stages and is considered a fifth generation alcohol.

See also: How to make moonshine at home

For the Super-Premium segment, it is planned to purify not only the ethyl part of the contents, but also water. For such vodka, water from unique sources or purification with precious metals is used.

2. Suite

It is made from wheat grain with the addition of potatoes. The percentage of starch does not exceed 35%, but it is there. Filtration of this alcohol is carried out in several stages. Lux is used for the Premium segment and is always presented as a product made according to a unique recipe.

Do not be mistrustful of such a statement by manufacturers, because thanks to the effective purification technology, the taste of Lux vodkas is truly unique.

3. Extra

It is made from wheat and potato grains. The ratio in percentage is much higher than that of Lux and should not exceed 60%. Extra is a consumer alcohol.

And although it does not reach the premium in terms of content characteristics, it is no less of a quality and has individual characteristics. Depending on the manufacturer, spring water is used for its production, various natural filtering products that give it a characteristic taste.

4. Sleeps of the highest purification

We examined the characteristics of the highest quality ethyl products. But what about the highest purity alcohol? Despite the pretentious name, it is he who undergoes the least thorough filtration and contains both fusel components and various ethers. This is an alcohol of the lowest segment, which is distinguished by a low quality indicator.

The taste and color ...

As for the taste characteristics of vodka made from various spirits, it is worthwhile to understand that the cheaper the drink, the less natural ingredients are invested in it. So Alpha and Lux ​​is an ethyl composition, which is produced on the basis of malt, with natural fermentation. Let's add the spring water with which they are kneaded, a few secret ingredients and we get excellent taste, no hangover and a lot of positives.

With Ekstra, things are different. Malt is replaced by enzymes, not always organic, and water, well, if it is taken from an Artesian source or a local spring. From this ethyl base, drinks are obtained that give the whole gamut of experiences of a morning hangover, often have a sharp taste and aroma and do not differ in the aesthetics of the packaging.

And the main difference between Alfa, Lux and Extra alcohol is that the price tag for them differs. The first and second options are presented by expensive sorts of vodka, with branded packaging, in the original container. The third option is a consumer product and has a moderate cost, a nondescript label and a simple bottle, because the principle of the economy segment is that there is no point in overpaying!

In general, all three types of ethyl alcohol were not invented in vain. They create a balance and meet the consumer demand of any budget. And it remains for us, the customers, to decide whether we want to get the maximum pleasure from the noble drink and not experience morning discomfort or if we plan to forget ourselves, and for this a simpler drink is suitable.

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Best regards, Pavel Dorofeev.

Alcohol has been known to mankind since time immemorial. Even in the Old Testament there is a mention of the fact that Noah, having drunk the fermented juice, became intoxicated. But the classification of alcohols was formed only today and the path to this was long and thorny.

A bit of history

Information about the receipt of the distillate came from Aristotle, who described the process in the first millennium BC. (he lived in the 300s BC). Subsequently, alchemists tried to isolate the "soul of wine" by distillation.

And the product obtained by the distillation method was named "Spiritus vini", which is translated from Latin and meant the soul of wine. The name "spiritus" was gradually transformed into alcohol.

Distillation has been widely used in various countries since the 1300s. They did this in European monasteries and called their product "aquavitae", that is - living water.

The technology of distillation was brought to Russia by Dutch merchants in 1386, but drinks based on distillation (which were not yet called vodka at that time) appeared during the time of Ivan the Terrible (16th century).

Gradually, the alcohol split into food and technical, which was mined from wood.

By 1913, there were almost 2.5 thousand factories producing alcohol in the Russian Empire.After the revolution, their number dropped sharply, but by the end of the 1920s it had increased significantly. During the Second World War, there was another decline, and the rise - in the 60s of the last century.

Ethyl alcohol properties

For the first time, Paracelsus noticed in 1525 that if alcohol is heated with sulfuric acid, then ether is obtained, which has a hypnotic effect.

More than 200 years later, surgeon Warren, for the first time in history, put a patient to sleep with ether and performed an operation. Since then, ether has been actively used in medicine.

The special properties of alcohol include:

• destruction of pathogens;
• the presence of tannins capable of removing carcinogenic compounds, treating gastrointestinal diseases;
• preservative ability;
• extraction of the substances contained in them from plant raw materials;
• the ability to dissolve many plant and synthetic substances.

Ethylene composition

The composition of ethyl alcohol must contain:

1. Methylene (methyl alcohol). In the types permitted for food needs - no more than 0.05%.
2. Esters, no more than 30 mg / dm3 (hereinafter, these figures are in terms of anhydrous alcohol), and for those used in the alcoholic beverage industry - no more than 15 mg / dm3.
3. Fusel oils, including propanol, butanol, isobutyl, isoamyl - up to 8 mg / dm3.
4. Acetaldehyde - up to 5 mg / dm3 (presence furfural in edible alcohol is not allowed).

Areas of use

This product is necessary in many spheres of human life and covers areas.

1. Medicine:

• antiseptic;
• solvent and preservative for tinctures and extracts;
• antidote in case of toxic alcohol poisoning;
• antifoam for oxygen.

2. Food industry. Registered as a food supplement E1510... It is applied for:

• creating a variety of alcoholic beverages;
• dissolving aromatic substances;
• conservation of bakery and confectionery products.

3. Cosmetics and perfumery. It is impossible to create perfumes, colognes, and eau de toilette without alcohol. It is used in many lotions, shampoos, toothpastes, etc. Part of aerosols.

4. Chemical industry (including for household needs). Alcohol is an integral part of antifreezes, washers, cleaning agents and detergents.

5. Fuel. It is used in its pure form in rocket engines. Participates in the creation of gasoline along with petroleum products.

Ethyl alcohol brands for vodka

Let's talk in more detail about ethyl products belonging to the food group and which, in principle, can be consumed in diluted form.

First grade

For the production of alcoholic beverages not used... It can be conditionally attributed to the food group. Yes, it is now not used for the production of alcoholic beverages. Moreover, the requirements for quality have grown significantly and it is more expensive for itself to produce low-grade alcohol.

And those who lived in the 90s remember very well how they even gave out salaries with such alcohol (cans). And this "barter" was considered very good. And some of today's well-known distilleries began with the same "first-class" alcohol, which was bought cheaply at distilleries, brought in cans or barrels to a "burned-out" factory bought for a pittance.

Here they were “body-drenched” (diluted with water, added syrups, extracts), packed and sent to the trade. Gradually getting back on their feet (some burned out), they began to work on quality.

What is the first grade product made of? From what grows in farm fields and gardens:

• any grain (wheat, rye, corn, millet, etc.);
• beet;
• potato;
• peas;
• fruits;
• sugar production waste - molasses (molasses), which also goes to livestock feed.

Moreover, there are no standards (how much and what kind of raw materials to take).

Reference. Ethyl of the first grade is used today mainly in medicine.

Yes, this is the same drug that is sold in pharmacies under the name "Ethyl alcohol" 96% (sometimes 70%) and marked: "For external use." That is, in principle, they do not recommend drinking it, and if they make tinctures on it, they are consumed in 15-20 drops, and not in stacks.

More on the topic: Formula, composition and characteristics of medical alcohol

Highest purification

Although its name sounds promising, in fact, this species is used exclusively in cheap low quality vodkas.

It is also used for the production of liqueurs and liqueurs. It is prepared from the same raw materials as the first grade. Only after production is it purified more thoroughly.

Basis

The raw material for its receipt is cereal grains and potatoes... In this case, potato starch in the total mass of raw materials should be no more than 60%.

This brand is used for the production of alcoholic beverages in the middle price segment.

Extra

Raw materials for production are the same as for Basis, but higher cleaning requirements... The alcohol obtained with its help is also average in price.

Suite

Here, grain and potatoes are also used, however, the proportion of potato starch is no more than 35%, and cleaning takes place in several stages... "Lux" is used for the preparation of premium vodka.

Alpha

This product - only cereal from wheat and rye... Other cereals are not allowed, like potatoes. It goes through several stages of cleaning. Used to create Super Premium Vodka.

Alcohol brand	Ethyl alcohol, %	Acetic aldehyde in terms offor anhydrous alcohol, mg / dm3	Fusel oils, mg / dm3	Isoamyl, isobutylalcohols, mg / dm3	Complex ethers, mg / dm3	Methyl alcohol, mg / dm3
1st grade	96,0	10	35	15	30	0,05
the highest cleaning	96,2	4	8	4	15	0,05
basis	96,0	5	5	5	13	0,05
extra	96,3	2	6	3	10	0,03
luxury	96,3	2	6	2	5	0,03
alpha	96,3	2	6	2	10	0,003

Alcohol types

There are three types, depending on the stage of production.

1. Low fortress raw... It is obtained by distillation. Simply put - this is moonshine, albeit industrial production, rich in fusel oils and other additives.
2. Rectificate... In 88% of cases, it is produced from raw material, passing it through rectification columns. This helps to minimize harmful impurities and at the same time increase the strength to 97 °.
3. Drinking ethyl... It is obtained by diluting the rectified water with prepared water to the desired degree.

Carefully. Drinking alcohol should not be consumed undiluted.

This leads to a burn of the mucous membranes, the appearance of gastritis, ulcers, and oncological diseases.

Alcohol grades

There are 3 types of alcohol abroad.

1. Wine or fruity... This is the basis for the creation of brandy, calvados, plum brandy and other drinks. This variety can rather be attributed to the "raw" type, since it was obtained using distillation (possibly multistage), and does not undergo rectification.
2. Grain (also without rectification) - base for whiskey, bourbon.
3. Potato... It contains a lot of harmful impurities, hydrocyanic acid, therefore, in Russia and the CIS, pure potato alcohol is not used for the production of alcoholic beverages.

Which is better?

The answer to this question suggests itself immediately: drinking ethyl, rectified... But not everything is so simple. The alcohols obtained by distillation retain the organoleptic properties of the product from which they are produced (smell, flavoring bouquet). These qualities are "killed" by rectification.

Therefore, it is more correct to assume that for the production of vodka and various tinctures on vegetable raw materials, one cannot find a better alcohol than a food rectified that has passed the appropriate degree of purification. It is safe (at reasonable doses) and with proper production of vodkas (tinctures) - pleasant to drink.

And for drinks such as cognac, brandy, calvados, tequila, bourbon, etc. it is better to use traditional distillation.

Peculiarities. If you have doubts about the quality (including the suspicion that the vodka is "burned"), drip a little alcohol-containing liquid onto the skin of your hand and rub it vigorously.

The presence of a strong unpleasant odor indicates that you are dealing with technical alcohol, the use of which can lead to blindness, poisoning with severe damage to internal organs, which is why the resuscitation "shines" (if they manage to deliver).

Experts assure that an even more reliable way of checking is heat a copper wire on a fire and sharply lower it into a glass of alcohol... The scent will immediately reveal its origin.

We hope that the knowledge gained will help you navigate correctly when choosing vodka products. The labels always indicate from which alcohol the vodka (tincture) is made. Choose a pure product and drink in moderation. We are waiting for your likes, if you liked the article, and comments.

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estimates, average:

out of 5)

Many people today are wondering how to identify a good product, distinguish it from a fake and choose the best option at home. This issue is especially relevant when it comes to alcohol, for the manufacture of which manufacturers use various types of alcohol. The media tell us that we are surrounded by low-quality goods, which is why it is necessary to pay attention to the question of how to correctly determine the quality of alcohol at home, and how its various varieties differ. In this article, we will tell you which alcohol is the best quality and how to make the best drink on your table.

The types of ethyl alcohol are regulated by modern Russian legislation

Alcohol types

The state standard fixes several types, which differ in the raw materials used for the manufacture, the degree of purification and methods and processing. The following varieties are distinguished:

• first grade;
• the highest degree of purification;
• "Basis";
• "Extra";
• "Lux";
• "Alpha".

These types of ethyl alcohol are regulated by modern Russian legislation. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

First grade and highly refined alcohol

First grade and highest purity are the worst types of ethyl alcohol. Their manufacture involves a minimum set of cleaning measures. That is why they contain relatively large amounts of methyl alcohol. Such raw materials are used to make cheap vodka labeled "Economy", which is more harmful to health than others. It is easy enough to identify it at home by its appearance. As a rule, manufacturers use the simplest container and an ordinary sticker, which contains a minimum of information.

Ethyl

If you do not try to operate with professional terms from chemistry, then you can limit yourself to the fact that ethyl means drinking. It can be used to make alcoholic beverages. In small doses, it is a kind of "doping" for the nervous system. In large doses, ethyl alcohol can cause significant damage to health. Ethyl alcohol has a number of distinctive features by which you can recognize it even at home.

1. The mass is less than that of water. Therefore, to determine the quality of vodka, the weighing method is often used (a liter of high-quality vodka weighs 952 grams).
2. Highly flammable and burns with blue fire.
3. Disinfects, which determines its widespread use in the field of medicine.

Methanol or methyl alcohol is an analogue of ethyl alcohol with similar external characteristics

In addition to being used for food purposes, this product is used for technical purposes, in household chemicals, cosmetics, and so on. The product is in high demand on the market. In the modern world, developments are underway to replace harmful gasoline with safer alternative energy sources, including ethyl alcohol.

Methyl

Methanol or methyl alcohol is an analogue of ethyl alcohol with similar external characteristics. For this reason, ethyl and methyl alcohols are so often confused, but the mistake can be fatal, since the latter is pure poison.Just 30 grams of methanol is enough to seriously damage eyesight, and 50 is almost guaranteed to be fatal.

It is almost impossible to find high-quality alcohol at a low price today, and the choice brings a lot of problems and difficulties. Among other things, it is impossible to determine the amount of methanol at home, which is fraught with great danger. It is important to remember that all these problems can be solved with one simple action - a complete rejection of alcohol.

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