Distilled Beverages - Flammability

Flammability

See also: Alcohol proof, Flash point, and Fire point

Liquor that contains 40% ABV (80 US proof) will catch fire if heated to about 79 °F (26 °C) and if an ignition source is applied to it. (This is called its flash point. The flash point of pure alcohol is 61.88 °F (16.60 °C), less than average room temperature.)

The flash points of alcohol concentrations from 10% ABV to 96% ABV are:

• 10% — 120 °F (49 °C) — ethanol-based water solution
• 12.5% — about 125 °F (52 °C) — wine
• 20% — 97 °F (36 °C) — fortified wine
• 30% — 84 °F (29 °C)
• 40% — 79 °F (26 °C) — typical whisky or brandy
• 50% — 75 °F (24 °C) — strong whisky
• 60% — 72 °F (22 °C)
• 70% — 70 °F (21 °C) — absinthe
• 80% — 68 °F (20 °C)
• 90% or more — 63 °F (17 °C) — neutral grain spirit

Beverages with low concentrations of alcohol will burn if sufficiently heated and an ignition source (such as an electric spark or a match) is applied to them. For example, the flash point of ordinary wine containing 12.5% alcohol is about 125 °F (52 °C).