CO129-364 - Public Offices & Others - 1909 — Page 119

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Hon.P.C.M.0.

In C.O.D. No.7251/04.

38530

117

07 WW 09)

Attached are the results of the analysis of five samples

of whisky, referred to in the above papers. In the tabls are

inserted also, for comparison purposes, particulars of some

English public-house whisky, and of other varieties.

The

quality and strength of the five samples answer the legal

requirements of this Colony. Sample No.5 is a genuine pot-still

whisky. As the law stands here and in England, spirita such as

these, containing say 10 to 20 parts of genuine whisky and 80

90 parts of patent-still, or silent, or grain spirit, cannot

be said to be adulterated. An attempt was made in England in

1905 to stop the addition of patent-still spirit to whisky

(see analyses nos.10 and 11), but the prosecutions were respited

year after year, until a Royal Commission was appointed in 1908

to settle "What is Whisky". This Commission has published an

interim report which has not decided the question. Genuine

pot-etill whisky contains about 380 of secondary products,while

patent-still spirit contain much less analysis No.7. Genuine

whisky must be kept a few years before use, but can be consumed

at once if diluted down with patent-still spirit a cheap and

harmless liquid. Genuine pot-still whisky, so the distillers

say is too strong for the modern palate.

2. The only objection to the quality of the samples,

is that they lack aroma, body, and flavour. They are not

whisky as understood by the ordinary consumer, but as stated

above their sale is not illegal. To rid the Colony of similar

cheap factitious spirit seems to be very desirable, and I would

suggest there be no more waiting for the English Commission

to settle the matter. The Liquor Licenses Ordinance, 1998,

might

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