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<\/div>\nIf you just read the headlines, you\u2019d think everyone was running scared of alcohol; that there was only one way for drink\u2019s strength to head \u2013 and that was down. <\/em>But rather counter-intuitively, high-<\/em>proof spirits<\/a> are also on the up \u2013\u00a0not just in whisky (which has a tradition of cask-strength bottlings) but also gin, rum, and tequila<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n Take the new British luxury gin Aureus Vita\u00a0<\/a>\u2013\u00a0it\u2019s bottled at 123.6 proof\/61.8 percent abv, which is several degrees higher than most Navy Strength gins. The strength, the packaging, and the design of the still draw inspiration from the \u2018Golden Ratio\u2019 1:1.618, which recurs in art, architecture, music, and nature (the gin\u2019s proof represents a ratio of 1.618 to 1 between alcohol and water). Rich and powerful, in an almost cake-y type way, the gin sells for a punchy $235 per bottle.<\/p>\n See also: Why Runners Are Falling in Love with Wine, Beer, and Whisky Regions<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Botanist gin \u2013\u00a0which is made by Islay\u2019s Bruichladdich distillery \u2013 recently launched a 100 proof\/50 percent abv spin-off, The Botanist Distiller\u2019s Strength<\/a>, which offers an amped-up, but still extremely elegant, platform for its 22 foraged botanicals.<\/p>\n \u201cI was inspired by Bruichladdich Distillery\u2019s long practiced art of bottling whisky at 50% abv,\u201d says head distiller Adam Hannett, \u201cand at this strength, flavorful oils from distillation are enhanced, the viscosity is richer, and it\u2019s this richness that carries the flavor of the spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n Some more high-end aged sipping rums have been upping their proof as well, in a bid to position themselves more like a single malt whisky. The excellent Exception Cask Selection series from Foursquare<\/a> in Barbados often features cask-strength and high-strength editions around the 120 proof (60 percent abv) mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n American whiskey has also been hitting the heights. Woodford Reserve recently released its strongest whisky to date, Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Chocolate Whisper Redux<\/a> which is bottled at a whopping 139.4 proof (69.7 percent abv).<\/p>\n As agave drinkers get more discerning, there has also been a noticeable increase in high-strength tequilas and mezcals.<\/p>\n \u201cThe past few years have seen a big increase in high-proof products,\u201d says Grover Sanschagrin, founder of US-based agave spirits recommendation app Tequila Matchmaker<\/a>. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve seen higher-than-average ratings for high-proof products [\u2026] our users get quite excited to try them.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Top performers in a Tequila Matchmaker blind-tasting included Siembra Valles High Proof Tahona<\/a> (99 proof\/49.5 percent abv), Trujillo Manifesto 56<\/a> (92.6 proof\/46.3 percent abv) and the \u2018still-strength\u2019 Santo Fino Blanco 110<\/a> (110 proof\/55 percent abv) and Amatite\u00f1a Tequila Blanco Origen<\/a> (98 proof\/49 percent abv).<\/p>\n Sanschagrin believes \u201chigh-proof products, especially still-strength tequilas, are the closest thing to the source, and are often the most expressive of cooked agave [\u2026] Aroma and flavor can be muted because of the higher alcohol, but the finish will be a lot longer and evolve on the tongue, and the mouthfeel is often more full-bodied, thick, and oily.\u201d<\/p>\n The Whisky Exchange\u2019s head buyer Dawn Davies MW, however, is at pains to point out that more is not always more.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s this idea among some spirits drinkers that bigger is automatically better. But what matters more is balance<\/em>; that the spirit is bottled at the strength that\u2019s right for itself. I think for most spirits, the strength that carries flavor really well, but isn\u2019t too alcohol forward, is actually round the 44-48 percent abv (88-96 proof) mark.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s another, more cynical, reason why whiskey producers in particular may be leaning into high-proof, and that\u2019s a simple case of over-supply, says Marten Lodewijks, managing director of drinks analyst IWSR<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough the pandemic there was a massive increase in demand, so whisky producers put more whisky into barrels. That demand then plateaued and is now starting to decline. So, there\u2019s a whisky glut \u2013\u00a0which, for producers, is a challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cIf whisky producers can generate interest in higher-abv products then they don\u2019t need to water down the whisky as much before bottling, and they get fewer bottles out of a barrel. So, there\u2019s a concerted drive to push up the abv because then they can off-load more barrels at a premium.\u201d<\/p>\n See also: Scotch Has Lost Its Way \u2013 Can It Come Back?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n An advantage of high-strength spirits is you can dilute them to your taste. Scotch whisky<\/a> has a strong (and very respectable) tradition of this \u2013 and don\u2019t let anyone tell you otherwise. The key is to add water in tiny increments (using a dropper helps), and taste as you go. You\u2019ll find the whisky evolves and different characteristics come to the fore.<\/p>\n Another easy way to add dilution gradually is stirring with ice, and that\u2019s why the Old Fashioned is such a great cocktail for showcasing high-strength whiskies.<\/p>\n On the agave front, Sanschagrin recommends using Pantera de Oro\u2019s 106<\/a> proof (53 percent abv) cask-strength extra-a\u00f1ejo to make a Tequila Sazerac. \u201cI make them at home all the time and it\u2019s perfect for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Max Venning, co-owner of the acclaimed Three Sheets<\/a> cocktail bars in London<\/a>, often uses tiny amounts of high-proof spirits to give his cocktail recipes a lift. \u201cI might use a dash of agricole rum to give a drink a subtle funky, fermented note. Longer-aged, higher strength cask-aged spirits tend to have more vanilla and body which can be great for adding depth, texture and, often, sweetness to a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"aureus](\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/02\/aureus-vita-gin.png\")
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