D
C
551
whisky for the purpose of imparting the genuine whisky flavour to the mixture. These samples are very similar to what is usually sold in "public houses" in this country as whisky.
The whisky would not, of course, be considered of good quality from a commercial point of view, but the total percentages of "fusel oil impurities", and more especially the proportions of furfurol and aldehydes, present in these samples are considerably less than are generally found in genuine Scotch and Irish "pot still" whiskies of high commercial quality.
Samples C, D, and E are wholly, or almost wholly composed of "patent" or "silent" spirit diluted, coloured and flavoured to imitate brandy and whisky.
The "silent" spirit used in concocting these mixtures was highly rectified; and, as will be seen from the results of the analyses, the "fusel oil impurities" in the "whisky" and "brandy" as sold are very low.
Two of the samples, C and E, are coloured with caramel only; the colouring matter in the other three samples containing also traces of an aniline dye, but both colouring and flavouring matters are used in very minute quantities, and there is no evidence of the presence of any substance not usually found in spirituous drinks of this kind.
These "brandies" and "whiskies" cannot, therefore, be considered as in any way of a specially deleterious character; and, apart from the quantities consumed, are at least as wholesome as spirits of the same quality sold in this country by publicans and other licensed traders.
Government Laboratory,
26th September, 1904.
9.8. Purpe
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