PROOF SPIRIT

The standard of alcoholic strength in spirituous liquors is termed “Proof,’ which designates, approximately, 4914% alcohol, by weight. Any liquor showing more or le than that proportion is “over” or “under” proof. Proof, as the standard, is represented by the figure 100—so whisky said to be, for example, “98” or “101” Proof is 2 degrees below or one degree above Proof. [s. 519]