MicroDens for Spirits, Bitters & Liqueurs - Alcohol Content & Density Analysis

Measurement Principle

Oscillating-tube MEMS sensor, automatic temperature compensation, alcoholometric calculation according to international tables.

ABV / ABW

Alcoholic Strength by Volume (ABV)

Determination of the alcohol content through density measurement of the distillate. For pure spirits ≥ 37.5% ABV (Vodka, Gin, Grappa, Brandy) the measurement is direct on the sample, without additional distillation. Calculation with the OIV-MA-BS-01 and OIML R22 tables.

Regulatory References
OIV-MA-BS-01 — ABV in Spirit Drinks of Vine Origin
OIV-MA-AS2-01B — Digital oscillating-tube density meter (instrumental method)
OIML R22 — International Alcoholometric Tables
Reg. CE N°2870/2000 — ABV in Spirit Drinks and Beer

ABV — Alcohol by Volume (% v/v)
ABW — Alcohol by Weight (% w/w)
US Proof — ABV × 2 (US scale)
Accuracy ± 0.1% v/v
Resolution 0.01% v/v

OIV-MA-BS-01 OIML R22 Excise Duties

Bitters & Liqueurs

Density · ABV · Sugar Control

Bitters (≥ 14% ABV) and Liqueurs (≥ 15% ABV, ≥ 100 g/L sugars according to Reg. EU 2019/787) require control of the overall density that combines the alcohol contribution with that of extracts and sugars. MicroDens measures the total density at 20 °C in a single step.

Reg. EU 2019/787 Categories
Amaro / Bitter — Category 33, ≥ 14% ABV, bitter character
Liqueur — Category 32, ≥ 15% ABV, ≥ 100 g/L sugars
Grappa / Marc — Pomace spirit, ≥ 37.5% ABV
Brandy — Grape spirit, ≥ 36% ABV

Density @20°C — direct measurement on the finished product
ABV — on the distilled fraction (diluted sample or distillate)
SG — for comparison with reference tables
Requirement: sample viscosity ≤ 5 mPa·s

Specification limit: η ≤ 5 mPa·s
Samples with viscosity > 5 mPa·s (e.g. Limoncello, Kahlúa, cream liqueurs, syrups) cannot be measured with the stated accuracy. MicroDens is not suitable for these matrices.

Reg. EU 2019/787 Bitter Liqueur Grappa

Dry Extract / Residue

Density as an indicator of extractive content

In spirits and bitters, the density at 20 °C depends on the combination of alcohol, sugars and extractive substances (botanicals, caramel, tannins). MicroDens allows you to monitor density as a proxy of total extract for process control and batch uniformity.

For the official gravimetric determination of dry extract (evaporation at 100 °C, residue weighing), reference is made to the OIV-MA-BS-02 and OIV-MA-AS2-03B methods. MicroDens density can be used as a quick consistency check against the reference value.

OIV-MA-BS-02 OIV-MA-AS2-03B Reg. UE 2019/787

Typical Dry Extract Values

Product	Extract (g/L)
Vodka / Gin	0 – 1
Grappa / Brandy	1 – 5
Whisky / Rum	3 – 20
Amaro / Bitter	50 – 150

WORKFLOW

Distillates with Prior Distillation

For complex matrices (wine, beer, fermented juices), distillation separates the alcohol from the extractive component before the density measurement.

Sample distillation

Separation of the alcoholic fraction according to standard OIV/OIML procedures.

Restore to volume

The alcoholic fraction is restored to the original sample volume.

Density measurement

MicroDens determines the distillate density at 20 °C with automatic compensation.

Automatic ABV calculation

ABV / ABW / US Proof calculated automatically according to the OIML R22 tables.

Pure Spirits & Bitters — Direct Measurement

For pure spirits ≥ 37.5% ABV (Vodka, Gin, Grappa, Rum, Whisky) and for bitters, density and ABV measurement is direct on the product, without distillation. A single step in 30 seconds for density, ABV, ABW and US Proof.

Available Parameters

Spirits, Bitters and Liqueurs — all the key values for quality control

ABV — Spirits Output Parameters
Parameter	Example value	Unit
Direct instrument measurement
Density (ρ) @20°C	0.95365	g/cm³
Specific Gravity (SG) @20°C	0.95363	SG
Alcoholic Strength — international variants
ABV — Alcohol by Volume	40.00	% v/v
ABW — Alcohol by Weight	33.32	% w/w
US Proof	80.00	°Proof US

ABW from OIML R22 table interpolation % vol → % mass (Pharmacopoeia); US Proof = ABV × 2. Units available in the firmware: % v/v · % w/w · °Proof (US). Values referred to 20 °C (OIML standard).

Bitters & Liqueurs — Density Parameters
Parameter	Typical bitter	Unit
Direct measurement on the finished product
Density (ρ) @20°C	1.0840	g/cm³
Specific Gravity (SG) @20°C	1.0838	SG
Alcoholic strength (on distillate)
ABV	28–35	% v/v
ABW	23–29	% w/w
Extract — indication via density
Dry Extract (estimate)	80–150	g/L

Metrological Performance
Parameter	Accuracy	Resolution
Density (ρ)	±0.0001 g/cm³	0.00001 g/cm³
ABV (Alcohol by Volume)	±0.1 % v/v	0.01 % v/v
ABW (Alcohol by Weight)	±0.1 % m/m	0.01 % m/m
Temperature	±0.2 °C	0.1 °C
Sample viscosity (max)	≤ 5 mPa·s	stated spec.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory Context

Regulatory references for labelling, excise duties and commercialization of spirits, bitters and liqueurs according to European and national regulations.

Reg. EU 2019/787

Definition and protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks. Replaces Reg. EC 110/2008. Defines 46 categories, including Bitter (cat. 33), Liqueur (cat. 32), Grappa, Brandy, Gin, Vodka, Whisky.

Excise Duty Code

Determination and taxation based on the actual alcohol content. Fiscal control on spirits.

EU Commercialization

Compliance with EU category definitions and specifications for the commercialization of spirits.

OIV-MA-BS / OIML R22

International alcoholometric tables for determining alcohol content via densimetry in spirit drinks of vine origin.

Compliance with international standards

Reg. UE 2019/787	Definition of the 46 categories of spirit drinks (Bitter, Liqueur, Grappa, Brandy, Gin, Vodka, Whisky)
OIV-MA-BS-01	Alcoholic Strength by Volume in Spirit Drinks of Vine Origin
OIV-MA-BS-02	Dry Extract in Spirit Drinks of Vine Origin
OIV-MA-AS2-01B	Density and Specific Gravity at 20°C — Digital oscillating-tube density meter
Reg. CE N°2870/2000	Analysis methods for determining ABV in spirit drinks and beer
DM 185/1991 (IT)	Italian official methods of analysis for alcoholic beverages
OIML R22	International Alcoholometric Tables — density-ABV tables at 20°C

Spirits Applications

Where MicroDens is used in the world of spirits, bitters and liqueurs

Distilleries

Quality and process control in craft and industrial distilleries. ABV, SG and density in one step.

Bitters & Liqueurs

Density, ABV and batch uniformity check for bitters and liqueurs. Reg. EU 2019/787 compliance control.

Laboratories

Support for in-house laboratories for quick checks, certifications and raw material acceptance.

Excise & Customs

ABV determination for excise calculation and customs declarations. Traceability and fiscal compliance.

Raw Material

Check of the residual alcohol content in pomace and by-products entering the distillery.

Batch Verification

Batch uniformity control and compliance with specifications. Detection of process variability.

Spirits, Bitters
& Liqueurs

Measurement Principle

ABV / ABW

Bitters & Liqueurs

Dry Extract / Residue

Typical Dry Extract Values

Distillates with Prior Distillation

Sample distillation

Restore to volume

Density measurement

Automatic ABV calculation

Pure Spirits & Bitters — Direct Measurement

Available Parameters

Regulatory Context

Reg. EU 2019/787

Excise Duty Code

EU Commercialization

OIV-MA-BS / OIML R22

Compliance with international standards

Spirits Applications

Distilleries

Bitters & Liqueurs

Laboratories

Excise & Customs

Raw Material

Batch Verification

Ready to Improve the Quality Control of Spirits, Bitters and Liqueurs?

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