December 2013

Undenatured alcohol of 190 or higher proof is the preferred product for natural perfumes. Some countries have very strict controls on such high- proof alcohol, and they allow only denatured alcohol. We at the Natural Perfumery Institute endeavor to bring you the latest information on sourcing this material.

There are several types of undenatured alcohol. They can vary from 190 to 200 proof, from organic to conventional, and be made from wheat, corn, grapes, sugar cane, rice, rye and several other sources. The most common are corn, grapes, sugar cane and rye, at least at the retail level most artisan perfumers will be buying at for their perfumerie.

In the USA , there are several sources for organic undenatured grain and grape alcohol, and they are listed below. The most commonly used 190 proof conventional corn-based undenatured alcohol is . Several sources are given below. You can also search out a 192 proof Polish called Gdanski Spiritus Vodka, or another vodka called Spirytus Rektykiowany () Polish Pure Spirit Vodka. Both are conventional and one may be made from rye.

If you have an additions or corrections to this list, please write to [email protected] and we will edit the information.

Australia

http://perfume.midnotes.net/alcohol-for-perfumery-in-australia/

http://www.perfectpotion.com.au/Online-Shop/Products/natural-perfume- base.aspx for alcohol denatured with benzoin, which will impart a slight odor. Benzoin also acts as a fixative. Check with the seller as to the proof of the alcohol and the percentage of benzoin.

http://www.ahimsaoils.com.au/Perfume.html Scroll down for their perfume base, denatured with benzoin.

Natural Perfumery Institute - http://PerfumeClasses.com 2

Canada

From a student in British Columbia: You must register a business name (there is a fee) and apply to get a PST (Provincial Sales Tax) business registration number.

With this PST number, you approach the control and say that you are a business needing to purchase grain alcohol (alcohol 190) for the business.

They will come to your house inspect what you are needing the alcohol for, and you can show them your course notes for verification, and that you can store the alcohol in a locked, fireproof container/cabinet. You then will receive a paper certificate that you can take to the liquor store to purchase the 190 proof. Call around, as not all stores stock it.

Another alternative is to contact Organic Alcohol in Oregon http://organicalcohol.com as they ship to Canada without problems.

From another student, in Toronto: Called LCBO (Liquor Control Board) again today and I got a very well informed agent this time. She was aware that all we need is a letter of authenticity faxed to them for us to obtain 95% alcohol. There is a difference between USA and Canada in naming the alcohol. 95% alcohol in Canada is the same as 190 proof in USA. She says that it what perfumers, estheticians and people using it for scientific purposes use. We just have to fax or email [email protected] and make the request to George Soluas. The product # is 288142 and is $25.10. We would get a fax back with a letter of permission to purchase it. (Note: these contact names may be outdated, they were valid in 2007-2008)

Czechoslovakia

From a student in CZ: I come from Czech republic, and here you can buy the undenatured Alcohol for about £87, that’s 2595 CZK/ $132USD for 5 liters. But you need the trade license if you will buy it. Smaller amount is available in pharmacy (100 ml, 200 ml, max 250 ml). over £400 is really to expensive :(. Here everyone distills legally at home (in Moravia), where I was born :) Purchase of the denatured alcohol it´s easier, is everywhere and not expensive. (30 litres for 1073,28 CZK so about £36 $54USD. )

European Union (General) (for the UK, see separate listing)

The following names are used for in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands: Kosmetisch haarwater or Kosmetisch Haarwasser or Kosmetisch basiswater or Kosmetisch Basiswasser. It may have the scent of bergamot, which is used to denature it, and that is fine, it Natural Perfumery Institute - http://PerfumeClasses.com 3

is one of the least offensive denaturants, but you will have to incorporate that scent into your perfumes.

Approach your local pharmacy. You must act professional, and dress well.

In the Netherlands and Belgium undenatured 190 proof ethanol is easy to obtain from and wine producing shops.

If you have a business address you can get the ethanol delivered to, that is best. Home delivery of ethanol may be prohibited: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Agreement_concerning_the_Intern ational_Carriage_of_Dangerous_Goods_by_Road

http://www.brouwland.com/en/) http://www.omikron-online.de/cgi-bin/cosmoshop/lshop.cgi Search for ethanol. German language only. www.primaveralife.com http://www.primaveralife.com/de/index.php http://www.brueggemann.com/trinkalkohol.html Ask for FORTIOR Primasprit 96% vol

From a student in the EU:

This supplier is in Northern Ireland and the website is: http://mistralni.co.uk/collections/fragrances-and- perfumery/products/perfumers-alcohol They only sell to clients in the UK and Northern Ireland. I have worked with their alcohol for years and am very happy with it.

Clients in the UK can also buy grain alcohol here: http://www.reagent.co.uk/ethyl-alcohol

Germany

http://www.primaveralife.com/de/alkohol-bio-96.html Check if denatured or undenatured

New Zealand

This company sells denatured alcohol, called perfumers alcohol. It does not identify what the denaturant is. It may be that denatured alcohol is the only option for New Zealand natural perfumers. If the following link does not work, visit the website and type ethanol in the search box.

http://www.gonative.co.nz/shop/Raw+Materials/Ethanol.html?__utma=1.1 77635782.1345151344.1345151344.1345151344.1&__utmb=1&__utmc= Natural Perfumery Institute - http://PerfumeClasses.com 4

1&__utmx=- &__utmz=1.1345151344.1.1.utmccn%3D%28referral%29|utmcsr%3Dgon ative.co.nz|utmcct%3D%2Fshop%2FMan%2BMade%2FRaw%2BMaterial s%2FEthanol.html|utmcmd%3Dreferral&__utmv=-&__utmk=74701715

The production of ethanol from whey in NZ. http://nzic.org.nz/ChemProcesses/dairy/3H.pdf

List of ethanol distilleries worldwide. One from NZ is listed, more may be added to the list, so check it occasionally. http://www.distill.com/trade.html

From a student in NZ: I've investigated with Customs etc., and apparently I could get a permit to import 190 proof as long as I explain the use I want to put it to; that would be prohibitively expensive for me at this stage though. I also had a conversation with someone at our Cosmetic Toiletry Fragrances Assoc about it; our regs around alcohol here in NZ are focused on tax and duty, so, as long as one isn't selling it as a drink, it appears to be perfectly legal to make one's own as the resulting perfume is non-potable.

South Africa

http://www.chemicalsupplier.co.za/ for sugar cane alcohol 190 proof.

From a SA student:

I use Ethanol Absolute 99.9% which I get from B & M Scientific. I know its cheaper with a license but I haven't bothered yet since I’m not using it in massive volumes. I buy 7 -10 litres at a time.

In my experience of procuring alcohol, I have found it not an easy task. It is available and you can get it, however, government restraints on the sale and purchase of alcohol are severe. You have to register with the South African Revenue Service, failing that, you will be required to pay a levy in each litre when buying it from a supplier.

I am able to obtain a 99% ethanol that comes from sugar cane and it is very expensive.

From another student:

I am also using 99.9% ethanol from sugar cane. The license you’re speaking about comes from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), (I’m sure you know) as I was telling Anya, which you have to pay for. B & M Scientific is charging you a levy in each litre for the alcohol, which is what they told me when Natural Perfumery Institute - http://PerfumeClasses.com 5

I enquired from them, which is what makes it expensive. This is the same information I got from other suppliers.

As far as I know, there are no restrictions on quantity, as long as you pay the levy. The sale of alcohol is only allowed with a license and it is carefully monitored. It is easily obtainable, as long as the levy is paid, or you are licensed with SARS.

Anyway, that has been my experience in purchasing ethanol.

United Kingdom (see also EU)

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-15105.aspx for undenatured alcohol.

Joseph Mills Ltd http://www.ethanol.co.uk/products/ethanol-96-bp

United States

Organic grain, sugar cane, and grape alcohol:

http://organicalcohol.com

Everclear 190 proof and Polish 192 proof (not organic). Check if they ship to your state, and also do a google search of the key words to see if you have a local source:

http://www.winechateau.com/controller.aspx?type=view&info=search&a=ft &v=everclear+190 190 proof Everclear

http://www.winechateau.com/sku1087157_POLMOS-VODKA-SPIRYTUS- 192@-750ML 192 proof Polish vodka

http://www.36thavewine.com/spirits/Polmos-Spiritus-Recktyfikowany- w9442288h5 192 proof Polish vodka

Some states sell 190 undenatured alcohol under different brand names; you’ll need to ask individually.

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