Alcohol & Rectified Alcohol

Alcohol is derived from various sources. It is obtained from sugar cane,
grain, corn, potatoes, grapes, wood, to name its most common sources. Therefore,
all alcohol is not the same. This is especially significant where Alchemy is
concerned.
When we refer to the grain spirits we speak of that which is the
essence of the grain. Thus it should be seen that alcohol is, therefore, the spirit
or essence which is freed from the various sources from which we obtain it.

Alcohol derived from wood is known as methanol and is poisonous if taken
internally.

The alcohol, or spirit of wine, obtained from wine is the best and
most ripened essence of the vegetable kingdom. It has been claimed to have
the highest vibratory rate of any essence in the vegetable kingdom and is, therefore,
used as a menstrum to make extractions from herbs.

To rectify alcohol, proceed as follows:
Take any pure non-poisonous alcohol (190 proof spirits) and distill at 78 degrees C. Whatever is distilled at a temperature
above 78 degrees C. cannot be used. Take all that has been distilled
at not above 78 degrees C. and place this again in a clean flask. Re-distill at
76 degrees C. The distillate should then be distilled again. This is to be performed
seven times from the first distillation. That which remains behind will
become darker after each distillation. Finally, at the last distillation the distillate
will be a crystal clear alcohol. (Do not use methanol.)

There is another method by which alcohol may be rectified. Distill again
non-poisonous 190 proof alcohol at 78 degrees C. To every 1000 ml. of this
distilled alcohol add 25 grams of potassium carbonate anhydrous. Let this stand for 48 hours. Shake occasionally. Distill the alcohol once again at 76 degrees C. The distillate will be a rectified alcohol.

The first method above is the old way to rectify. The second method is used
today in modern chemistry. Experience will teach which method the individual
alchemist will choose.

In preparing the rectified spirits of wine,
it is preferable to use a red wine, the older the better. The wine should be a
pure unfortified wine. Any wine that contains more than 17% alcohol by volume
may be fortified with alcohol derived from sources other than grapes. When such
is the case and wine thus altered is distilled, the distillate, therefore, will not be
pure spirits of wine. For this reason the spirits of wine should be obtained only
from wine containing less than 17% alcohol by volume, or else obtained from
grape brandy. This is of great importance in Alchemy.


F.Albertus.

If using homemade wine, how does one know that it is 17% alcohol by volume?

Hey Melissa,
The normal pure red wine from grapes should contain about 8 - 14% of alcohol and that is a satisfactory for producing rectified alcohol. I would actually try and find wine like that in stores, look for dry red wine and look on the labels to make sure that it is pure without any variations.

Like F.Albertus said: Any wine that contains more than 17% alcohol by volume may be fortified with alcohol derived from sources other than grapes.

Fortified that actually mans; wine mixed with other spirits and are stronger by Vol/%.

Say If you want to buy large amount of homemade wine that is not determent, there's a way you could do that personally with a vinometer Chek the link here for more info.
Check out this video also on youtube, it shows how to distill red wine with a modern equipment, this might help to. HERE

Thanks! I will definitely look at the resources you mentioned. What a great site you have here.