Expert: Paul Wagner - 1/18/2008

Question
My father in law recently gave me a bottle of Alcohol de cana then in parenthesis it says "victoria" he says he thinks it is from the late 40s it still has the original cork and seal and it is listed at 192 proof my question is, was this for drinking or for running your car?

Answer
HI Mike

If it is 192 proof, then it is 96% alcohol, and that is probably clean enough to run your car on--or start a small fire at the dinner table.  Most distilled spirits are blended about 50/50 with water so that they are a little more drinkable.  This won't have much flavor either.  

This kind of liquor is also used to fortify Ports and Sherries...but I wouldn't drink it straight.  It sure would make a flaming plum pudding pretty easy, though!

Paul Wagner