Whisky analysis
Understanding whisky through chemistry
Every whisky tells a story — of origin, maturation, and craftsmanship. Behind its character lies a complex composition of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds that define aroma, flavour, and mouthfeel.
At Oxford Indices, our two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF-MS) reveals the full chemical fingerprint of whisky, providing unprecedented clarity into what makes each expression unique.
Aroma and flavour profiling
Standard analytical techniques can overlook key components masked by dominant peaks or solvent interference.
With GC×GC-TOF-MS, we achieve enhanced separation and sensitivity — mapping hundreds of compounds simultaneously. This allows us to:
Identify and quantify trace volatiles that influence aroma balance.
Compare batches to ensure consistency in blending and production.
Detect taint, off-notes, or anomalies linked to process variation or storage.
The result is a multidimensional understanding of your whisky’s flavour profile — chemistry translated into sensory insight.
Authenticity and brand protection
As brands grow in value, the risk of imitation and adulteration increases. Oxford Indices provides authenticity verification through compositional “fingerprinting.”
By generating a 3D chromatographic map of your whisky, we can distinguish genuine products from counterfeits, watered-down versions, or unauthorised blends.
This analytical certainty safeguards brand integrity, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance.
Precision meets provenance
With GC×GC-TOF-MS, we bring scientific precision to the art of whisky making — capturing the invisible details that define aroma, texture, and authenticity.
Oxford Indices helps distillers and brand owners turn chemistry into confidence, ensuring every dram meets the standard it deserves.
Applications for distillers and blenders
Our whisky analysis supports:
Product development — refining recipes and optimising maturation.
Quality assurance — comparing cask, batch, or bottling consistency.
Taint diagnosis — investigating contamination or flavour deviation.
Authenticity verification — detecting counterfeit or diluted spirits.
Each analysis provides actionable data, delivered with clarity and interpretation from our expert team.