Methanol - dangerous stuff.

[neisel]

Methanol poisoning: Death by ignorance and taboo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-46423180

[Tony]

It's sad that unscrupulous producers there use it to make their drinks go further.

[nigelb]

There was alot of Methanol poisoning a couple of years ago in the east of England....especially around Boston where East European seasonal workers were making and distilling alcohol.

[Tony]

Methanol is strongest in the initial distillate from what I remember... so they're supposed to dispose of that.  But I guess illegal distilleries care not for wasting potential profits!

[nigelb]

Yep...safety isn't a consideration where profit is concerned. Either that or it's just bad practice!

[dgs]

Methanol is strongest in the initial distillate from what I remember... so they're supposed to dispose of that.  But I guess illegal distilleries care not for wasting potential profits!

Good info, I always wondered why they seemed to dispose of a first amount of tops from the still. I sometimes watch moonshiners on discovery channel.