liquid with an alcohol content between 20 and 40%. The second step results in the final distillate with an alcohol content of 60 to 90%. It is generally distilled to between 33% and 50% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 66 to 100 proof. The entire distillation process is completed within 24 hours. Various blends of coconut arrack diverge in processing, yet the extracted spirit may also be sold raw, repeatedly distilled or filtered, or transferred back into halmilla vats for maturing up to 15 years, depending on flavor, color and fragrance requirements. Premium blends of arrack add no other ingredients, while the inexpensive and common blends are mixed with neutral spirits before bottling. Most people describe the taste as resembling "…a blend between whiskey and rum", similar, but distinctively different at the same time. Products According to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre's 2008 report on alcohol in Sri Lanka, the types of arrack are: Special arrack, which is produced in the highest volume, nearly doubling in production between 2002 and 2007. Molasses arrack is the least-processed kind and considered the common kind. Nevertheless, as a whole, arrack is the most popular local alcoholic beverage consumed in Sri Lanka and produced as a wide variety of brands that fit into the following three categories: Premium aged, after distillation, is aged in halmilla vats for up to 15 years to mature and mellow the raw spirit before blending. Premium brands include Ceylon Arrack, VSOA, VX, Vat9, Old Reserve and Extra Special. Premium clear is generally not aged, but often distilled and/or filtered multiple times to soften its taste. Premium clear brands include Double Distilled and Blue Label. Common is blended with other alcohols produced from molasses or mixed with neutral spirits as filler. Producers Sri Lanka's largest manufacturers, listed in order based on their 2007 annual production of arrack, are: DCSL (Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka), 37.25 million litres IDL (International Distilleries Ltd), 3.97 million litres Rockland Distilleries (Pvt) Ltd, 2.18 million litres Mendis, 0.86 million litres Ceylon Arrack, a brand of Sri Lankan coconut arrack, was launched in the UK in 2010. It is also available in France and Germany. White Lion VSOA entered the American market soon after. Toddy Toddy is a white liquor created from fermenting the sap of the coconut flower. It is considered to be the island's most popular drink and it is often spiced up