On 1st March 2022, Robert Fotheringham presented a webinar to WIRSPA (West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association) entitled “Analytical Tools for the Modern Distiller”.
The presentation described practical aspects of both routine and sophisticated laboratory analysis that can be performed during production and manufacture of potable spirits. Methods were described for the analysis of abundant congeners such as higher alcohols, flavour esters, sugars, wood phenolics and phenols as were trace analyte methods to ensure regulatory compliance and detect product contamination.
Specific product quality issues such as the detection and control of Ethyl Carbamate, chill haze control, Calcium Oxalate formation (and the need to control Calcium pickup from multiple sources such as dilution water and filtration media) and Iron pick up (from nails and hoops in cask and unpassivated pipe work) were discussed as was the control of potential contamination of product with the migration of undesirable odours and regulated phthalate ester plasticisers from food contact materials such as flexible hoses, seals and pumps.