it doesn't matter what alcohol you use but the higher the proof the better the outcome. i suggest something like bacardi 151 or everclear but i've been told the 190 proof is no longer made but 160 proof is still around. it only takes a few hours and you'll be able to see the oily film on the surface if allowed to sit still during the soak. once the soak time is up (time varies according to proof) then remove the bud and either save it and let it dry for smoking later or toss it (i toss mine after drying the 1st one...you'll see) and then you can syphon off the layer or drink it down. i use appx 1/8 in a half pint of bacardi 151 for about 4 hours but it's something you'll have to experiment with to find what ya like.