Counterfeit/ illegal alcohol
Within the UK, illegal alcohol is being sold all the time; this is also known as illicit, fake or counterfeit. This alcohol tends to be cheaper and will be presented in a bottle branded similar to the real thing. However if you look closely, most often it can be identified as fake. The liquid inside will be a mixture of chemicals to make it look and taste similar.
Some of the illegally made vodka has been found to contain high levels of methanol, which is used to make anti-freeze and some fuels. Drinking high doses of it can cause various health issues which can include dizziness, breathing difficulties and even blindness. Counterfeit vodka often has a strong acetone smell, similar to nail varnish.
Trading Standards recommends that you look for small mistakes and discrepancies which will distinguish between real brands of alcohol and fakes. Look out for spelling mistakes on the label, check whether all bottles are filled to the same level, whether the label is straight, and also that all the bottles look the same.