Neutral Grain Spirits (NGS) | Michigrain - Michigan Craft Spirit Distillery (2024)

FAQs

What is considered a neutral grain spirit? ›

Grain Neutral Spirit, or Neutral Grain Spirit, is a term that encompasses various kinds of grain alcohols. This spirit is the standard premium alcohol produced by fermenting and distilling Corn, Rye, Wheat, Barley, Rice or other grains.

Vodka is a neutral spirit distilled and treated with charcoal or other materials to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.

To make neutral or rectified spirits you need organic materials that contain either starch or sugar. Enzymes are added to starch to convert it into sugar (glucose, fructose, or sucrose) in a process called saccharification. If the organic material already contains sugar (e.g. grapes), no enzymes need to be added.

These terms are commonly abbreviated as either GNS or NGS. Neutral spirits are used in the production of several spirit drinks, such as blended whisky, cut brandy, most gins, some liqueurs and some bitters.

Everclear is a brand name of rectified spirit (also known as grain alcohol and neutral spirit) produced by the American company Luxco (formerly known as the David Sherman Corporation). It is made from grain and is bottled at 60%, 75.5%, 94.5% and 95% alcohol by volume (120, 151, 189, and 190 U.S. proof respectively).

Commercial liquor labeled as moonshine is typically one of two things: neutral grain spirits (of which vodka is a subcategory) or unaged whiskey. And as described above, the difference between the two options is really just the production process (primarily the proof at distillation).

Think of NGS as a raw form of vodka. NGS is an integral base for spirits like Gin as well as key to 'cut' liqueurs and make bitters. The really cheap vodkas are actually just NGS cut with water to bottling strength.

Arguably one of the most well known (and easy to find) grain-free liquors out there, Tito's comes from Texas and is made solely with corn. The brand has been certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) and advertises it on the label.

It is also possible to use American Barrel Oak Bourbon Chips and soak and age on neutral spirit to create the ultimate Bourbon, Whiskeys or Rum.

WLP078 Neutral Grain Yeast

A great yeast for making neutral spirit from White Labs, a US yeast supplier. A clean, fast fermentation that can tolerate up to 15% alcohol. 25C to 30C fermentation temperature.

What sugar is best for spirit wash? ›

Dextrose/Corn Sugar - This is the best source of sugar for making clean, neutral flavoured washes. Generally a neutral alcohol wash is the most desired, because it leaves you options afterwards to flavour it however you want with flavour enhancers and essences once it is done.

As its name implies, the sugar wash is simply a combination of sugar and water. Because a simple sugar wash provides no nutrition for the yeast, you must either add a complete nutrient complex or use turbo yeast.

Also known as rectified spirits or ethyl alcohol, neutral grain spirits are a high-octane concoction utilized in a variety of ways within the industry. Neutral spirits tend to be employed in the making of things like whisky, certain liqueurs, and cut brandy.

Product Overview. Everclear is a brand of neutral grain spirit that is 190 proof.

For the majority of 'western' gins (made in the UK, USA, Europe etc.), the base spirit will be a grain neutral spirit (GNS). To make it, you mix your grain – for example barley, rye or wheat – with warm water to break down its starches into fermentable sugars.

Popularly known as the grain alcohol or a neutral spirit, Everclear is distilled from 100 selected grains. The final result is 95% ABV (190-proof) liquor.

At 75.5 percent and 95 percent, 151 and 190 proof respectively, Everclear is the strongest proof alcohol on the market.

Some consider Everclear to be a very strong vodka; however, Everclear and vodka are very different. Vodka is much more diluted. For context, the typical vodka is roughly 40% alcohol by volume, which is 80 proof. Everclear, on the other hand, is 95% alcohol, which is 190 proof.

Is vodka just watered down moonshine? Physically speaking, there is no real difference between vodka and moonshine. Both are unaged neutral spirits, usually cut with water to increase volume and produce a more drinkable product.

In most regions, the strongest legal moonshine has proof of 197. In other regions, 130 proof is the legal limit for alcoholic beverages.

Why is moonshine better than regular alcohol? ›

The big difference between Moonshine and Whiskey is that Moonshine is not aged in barrels after it is distilled. This is why it can be made much faster and is clear in color unless flavors are added. Moonshine production starts by making a mash that consists of grains, water, and yeast.

Absolut and Tito's are two of the most popular vodka brands on the market today. Both vodkas have their own unique flavor profiles, with Absolut being slightly more citrusy and Tito's being slightly more sweet. In terms of taste, it's really a matter of personal preference.

Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option.

Grey Goose Vodkas are created with single-origin Picardie wheat and water in Gensac-La-Pallu. Though this vodka is based on wheat, Grey Goose Vodka goes through an extensive distillation process that gets rid of the gluten and creates the gluten-free vodka we know and love.

What is GREY GOOSE^® Vodka made from? GREY GOOSE® Vodka is made from just two ingredients: soft single-origin winter wheat from Picardy, France, and spring water from Gensac-La-Pallue in France.

Absolut. Tito's – “Our vodka is distilled from corn, so it's naturally gluten-free. We're certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). Some folks add a bit of mash back into the spirit after distillation, which could add gluten, but we don't do that.”

There is NO grain neutral spirits in Canadian whisky. Ever. High abv spirits aged in wood for at least 3 years, often longer, are used and these taste like whisky because they are whisky.

It depends on who you talk to since every system, distiller and recipe is a little bit different. However, 1.5 quarts of water per pound of grain works well for most folks. (In metric, you're looking at roughly 3 liters of water per kilogram of grain.)

In general it involves soaking 10gms-50gms of oak chips for every litre of spirit for about 1-3 weeks (dependant on taste). The longer you leave it the more flavor and woodiness it will impart. You can often reuse the same chips once or twice after, just soak it for longer.

What does grain neutral mean in alcohol? ›

GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRITS (GNS) - Spirits distilled from a fermented mash of grain at or above 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof), and if bottled, bottled at not less than 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).

Grain alcohol is pure alcohol and it's made from fermented grains. When it's made in the US, grain alcohol is normally made from corn. That said, the type of grain is irrelevant since it's not those characteristics you're looking for in the finished product.

Neutral alcohols function as the base spirits that are ready to be distilled with botanicals and herbs. Neutral alcohols are made from a variety of raw materials, including sugarcane molasses, barley, corn, wheat, rice, and rye. This alcohol also has no taste or smell, making it organoleptically neutral.

Technically, Gin is made from a neutral grain alcohol, which is then mixed with juniper berries and other botanicals that give the spirit its distinct taste. This explanation of Gin is only intended as a starting point, especially if you plan to make your own.

Grain Neutral Spirit is exactly what it sounds like. A spirit distilled from pure wheat, bottled at a hefty 69.9% ABV.

Ultimately, moonshine is grain alcohol at its purest form. Moonshine was originally made in secret during the prohibition era and, to contemporary purists, it's not considered “moonshine” unless it's clandestine.

However, if you are going to drink, having red wine in moderation is a healthier choice than other alcoholic drinks. This is due to its high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to better heart and gut health.

Due to its high alcohol content, grain alcohol is considered to be extremely dangerous. Consuming more than a small amount can rapidly result in intoxication, impaired thinking and motor skills, and lowered inhibitions.

Fortunately, manufacturers have stepped up in recent years to offer a wide variety of alcohol—including vodka, whiskey, and gin—that aren't made from gluten grains: Gluten-free vodka options made from potatoes, grapes, sugarcane, and corn. Popular brands include Chopin, Tito's, and Luksusowa.

The most common types of spirits are Grain Neutral Spirits (GNS), Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Rum, and Whiskey.

What type of spirit is Tanqueray? ›

Tanqueray is a London Dry Gin, so called because of the distillation process, not the origin of the product and is primarily produced in Scotland for export to its largest market, the US. London Dry Gin is made through double distillation of a neutral grain spirit with botanicals added during the second distillation.

Mythbusters: Neutral Spirits Have No Flavor

It is possible, and even desirable for neutral spirits to produce no sensory effect – but depending on the quality of the alcohol and the agricultural product from which it was made, this is not always the case.

While gin and vodka are both crafted as neutral spirits, gin has additional ingredients—namely juniper berries—to give it its signature pine flavour. In fact, gin can only be called a gin if it has juniper in it. Without this, the spirit is technically vodka. The taste also hugely differs between the two spirits.