News

While pH is known to vary between different variety of whiskies it lacks a statistically rigorous exclusionary standard to be used as an authentication marker for Scotch whisky.

This study (open access) addressed this gap by performing statistical distribution fitting analysis on the pH of 32 authentic single malt and 33 authentic blended Scotch whiskies on the market in Taiwan, utilizing the three-parameter lognormal distribution to establish the 99.7% authentic pH ranges for the first time: 3.47–4.46 for single malt and 3.73–4.67 for blended whisky.

 Validation using seized counterfeit samples confirmed that an abnormally elevated pH is a strong indicator of adulteration.

Consequently, this authors propose using a pH threshold as a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective forensic exclusionary criterion. Although the pH value feature alone is insufficient to confirm authenticity, it is ideal as a first screening test.

Photo by Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett on Unsplash

In this episode from legal firm Brodies LLP the panellists discuss the growing popularity of buying and selling Scotch whisky casks, risks of fraud and some cautionary advice for buyers.

Grant Strachan is a partner at Brodies LLP, with a specialist focus on the food and drink sector, and Vikki Bruce is the founding director of CaskNet, a tech start-up that is building a register for Scotch whisky casks. It is hosted by David Lee, an experienced journalist, writer and broadcaster based in Scotland.

Together, they cover a range of issues, including the reasons for consumer interest in Scotch whisky, the process involved when buying a Scotch whisky cask and the legal/regulatory factors to consider, the challenges with unscrupulous brokers, the approach by regulatory bodies, and what buyers can do to minimise the risk of fraud. 

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash