Quite frankly- 40% of alcohol in vodka is standard, but I can't imagine someone drinking dentaturat or pure spirytus. It is good for cleaning, but lethal if someone is "bright enough" to drink it. Also, we Poles are not drinking freaks or something like that- we are not Russians (only them are able to drink a whole glass of vodka and say "got more?") :]
Anyway, we got very old and rich culture, so no wonder it inspires people all over the world.