WHISKY ANALYSIS. SOME LOCAL SAMPLES UNDER EXAMINATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 373, 1 June 1889, Page 3

WHISKY ANALYSIS. SOME LOCAL SAMPLES UNDER EXAMINATION.

Mr J. A. Pond, public analyst, has forwarded to Inspector Broham his report on six tamples ot whisky obtained fiom as many public-houses in this city on the Bth inst., for the purpose of ascertaining whether any injurious adulteration existed. The report is as fellows : — '• On the Bth inst., I duly received from you six samples of spirits, said to be whisky, in sealed bottles. The bottles bore iabels marked from ' No. 1 ' to • No. 6 ' consecutively, and also ' 7/5/89 ' on each.

"The total salts in these samples were low, being highest in.No. 5, *799 per cent., while Ni. 2, the second highest, gave "J24 per ceno. In both of these samples sugar had been added. The ash in these whiskies was merely a trace in all with the exception of No. 3, in which it was present to tht. extent of "019, and contained chloride of sodium (common salt) to the extent of 7 grains per gallon. Minute traces of tannin and chlonne were present in all the samples, which were aged, and, with the exception of added water, fairly pure spirits. '• With regard to the dilution, No. 3 alone comes below the standard inquired by the Act, being 394 under proof, all the other samples being less than 20 degrees under proof." To this report is attached a certificate of analysis oE No 3 sample to the effect that it contains 606 per cent, of proof spirits by measure, and is, therefore, 39 4 degrees underproof. This, in Mr Pond's opinion, is adulterated with water, and he certifies, rather unnecessarily, that such adulteiation is not injurious to the nealth of perpons drinking the some. , Inspector JBroham has not yet decided whether any prosecutions will follow, the results obtained going to show that whatever injurious compounds were contained in the spirits had been used in the manufacture, and nob in the hotels. The greatest offender has only to account tor too much water, and this would probably be regarded by many as a weakness having more advantages than disadvantages ior Ihe public good.

o. 1 2 3 4 5 6 81 69 per cent. 84-21 „ „ 60-60 „ „ 80-05 „ „ 81-75 „ „ 88-16 „ „

"Analysis: Percentage of proof- spirits by measurement : —