INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF CARBON-ISOTOPE RATIOS (C-13 C-12) OF SCOTCH WHISKEY CONGENERS TO ESTABLISH BRAND AUTHENTICITY USING GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY COMBUSITON-ISOTOPE RATIO MASS-SPECTROMETRY/

Volatile congeners of whisky have been analysed by gas chromatography- combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). Acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, n-propanol, isobutanol and amyl alcohol from a popular blended whisky have been separated using established GC conditions and their delta(13)C parts per thousand values determined. Eight samples of the whisky blend taken over the last 2 years of production have bee n analysed to allow the authentic range to be determined. A radar diag ram has been used to graphically represent the delta(13)C parts per th ousand data. This was used as a simple means of comparing the carbon i sotope profiles of whiskies. Two other whisky samples were analysed an d shown to differ from the whisky blend on the basis of the delta(13)C values. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.