Food and Drink These Are the World's Strongest Rums, Vodkas, Absinthes, and More Many of the world's strongest liquors are banned by the TSA for their high alcohol content. By Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Instagram Twitter Website Elizabeth Rhodes is an associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines and Travel + Leisure Contributor Travel + Leisure Contributor Since 1971, the contributors of Travel + Leisure have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's contributors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 29, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images With 95% alcohol by volume, Everclear, a grain alcohol made in the U.S., is shockingly strong, but it's not the strongest liquor in the world. Across the globe, distillers amp up the alcohol content of rums, vodkas, absinthes, whiskeys, and more to create eye-watering, high-proof bottles. More food and drink What kind of alcohol levels are we talking about? While your everyday Absoluts and Macallans average between 80 and 100 proof, some specialty liquors come with proofs as high as 192, or 96% alcohol. But drinking them is not about getting blasted: Some higher-proof alcohols, especially whiskeys, can in fact be more flavorful at a higher proof because they're not cut with water. Of course, most of these liquors aren't meant for sipping — they need to be mixed or diluted. Others can be used to make your own liqueurs or spirits. For example, to make limoncello, you'll want a high-proof grain alcohol. The All-you-can-drink Tequila Train Now Comes With Custom Cocktails and an Elevated Open-bar Experience You won't find many of these spirits in your local liquor store. Most of these overproof liquors are not even sold in the U.S., so you'd have to find them abroad — but don't try to bring them back home with you. In fact, liquors over 140 proof are banned from carry-ons and checked luggage, according to the TSA, so check those labels before packing a boozy souvenir on your next trip. Plus, some of these spirits have been discontinued, making them even harder to find, with the rare bottle or two still available to purchase. More cocktails and spirits Here are 12 of the strongest liquors in the world. 1. Polmos Spirytus Rektyfikowany Vodka Proof: 192 (96% alcohol by volume) Made In: Poland 2. Everclear 190 Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) Made In: United States 3. Golden Grain 190 Proof: 190 (95% alcohol by volume) Made In: United States 4. Hapsburg Absinthe XC Proof: 179 (89.9% alcohol by volume) Made In: Italy 5. Balkan 176 Vodka Proof: 176 (88% alcohol by volume) Made In: Serbia 6. Sunset Very Strong Rum Proof: 169 (84.5% alcohol by volume) Made In: Saint Vincent 7. Stroh 160 Rum Proof: 160 (80% alcohol by volume) Made In: Austria 8. Devil's Springs Vodka 160 Proof: 160 (80% alcohol by volume) Made In: United States 9. Bacardi 151 Proof: 151 (75.5% alcohol by volume) Made In: Puerto Rico 10. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold Proof: 140 (70% alcohol by volume) Made In: Czech Republic 11. Clarke's Court Pure White Rum Proof: 138 (69% alcohol by volume) Made In: Grenada 12. Rivers Royale Grenadian Rum Proof: 138 (69% alcohol by volume) Made In: Grenada Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit