Gin used to be 40%. Then in the 90s, there was an EU ruling that anything with not less than 37.5% alcohol could be called gin. Almost the day after all gins became .... wait for it ... 37.5% !
When I was in Scotland, went to one pub which had a "guest scotch" of the week. I had never ever seen or heard of this brand, so I tried a shot. Damn near killed me, I hadn't realised it was 46% !
I vaguely recall seeing a rum in Morrisons which was 56% abv.