Is there a way to get a higher starting abv with bread yeast? I was thinking that if Im going to run this through a carbon filter I would want to get the highest proof I can from a run then dilute it.
I would not push bread yeast past 10-12%. If you want to go higher I would suggest using a yeast that is better suited for higher alcohol levels. I personally don’t go above 10% often- but if I were doing a big sugar shine I would just use a turbo yeast– as you said you are going to filter it.