PROOF SPIRIT

The standard of alcoholic strength in spirituous liquors is termed "Proof," which designates, approximately, 49 1/2% alcohol, by weight. Any liquor showing more or less 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.