Everclear
Everclear
Everclear is a line of rectified spirits produced by the American company Luxco. It is made from grain and bottled at up to 95% alcohol by volume (190 U.S. proof). It has been criticized for its potency and has been at the center of public safety controversies. These concerns include risks of acute alcohol poisoning, its role as a facilitator in sexual assaults, and its high flammability, which has led to documented incidents of burn injuries. The manufacturer, Luxco, has faced criticism and legal action over allegations of deceptive marketing practices after it removed explicit fire warnings from its labels while simultaneously promoting the product for dangerous uses.
History and reputation
Everclear's notoriety was solidified in 1968 when the Guinness Book of World Records named it the "Most Potent Potable." For decades, it became culturally synonymous with college binge drinking, often treated as a rite of passage or used in hazardous party punches and drinking games. This reputation was built almost entirely through word-of-mouth, as Luxco did little to no formal marketing for the product, relying solely on notoriety until Luxco launched promotional campaigns in the mid-2010s. The name itself has become a generic term for any high-proof grain alcohol, and it inspired the name of the American rock band Everclear).
Safety and health risks
The alcohol concentration of Everclear presents two primary dangers: rapid alcohol poisoning and extreme flammability.
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