On 1/30/2013 1:40 PM, Danny D. wrote:
> On Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:35:17 -0500, krw wrote:
>
>> No more than 190 proof (though some is "only" 150 proof). Ethanol can't
>> be distilled beyond 95%. To get it more pure, things like Benzene have
>> to be added, which just kills the flavor.
>
> Look at what I just found in my "chemical stash" from grad school days!
> http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12077994.jpg
>
> It's pure ethanol, with a long tax stamp even!
> It has to be 35 years old or more!
>
> I don't see 'any' mention of benzene on the bottle though ...
>
> PS: When did they stop using tax stamps on alcohol?
>

When my brother was in college studying chemistry his professor was Dr.
Smith and the good professor would mix a laxative into the ethyl alcohol
in the lab producing a mixture known as Smithinol. My brother told of a
few idiots who raided the chemistry lab supply room for some ethyl
alcohol to make a punch mix for a party. The consumption of the punch
caused a complete evacuation of the party goers who partook of the
punch. The cleanup of the party location was quite an odoriferous
undertaking. ^_^

TDD