Studies on the Volatile Compounds in the Distilling Spirits

II. Research on the Volatile Compounds in Whiskies using Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Various types of whisky were analyzed using a gas chromatographic procedure and the contents of higher alcohols, aldehydes, and esters were determined. Scotch whisky contained generally 0.1-0. 2% of fusel oil and the amount of amyl alcohols was 1-3 times as high as that of isobutyl alcohol. The analytical values of japanese whisky was almost equal to those of scotch whisky.
According to the organoleptic tests, the whisky containg O. 1-0. 2% of fusel oil in which the amount of amyl alcohol was about 1-3 times as high as that of isobutyl alcohol tasted good. Organoleptically bad whisky showed to contain too more fusel oil or aldehydes, and the ratio of the amount of amyl alcohols to that of isobutyl alcohol was extremely small or large.
From above results these analyses are considered to be one of the useful criteria to evaluate the character of whiskies.