Researchers have created an array of glowing dyes that react with different trace flavors and chemicals in whisky to produce a unique fluorescent* signature.

By adding a drop of whisky to several different dyes, they found they could detect distinct patterns in different spirits according to their brand, age and if they are single malt or a blend.

The “tongue” is an array of small wells on a clear plastic tray, each filled with a fluorescent molecule* known as a polymer*. By placing a small sample of the spirit in each of the wells on the tray, they can then place this in a device known as a plate reader to measure the subtle changes in fluorescence from each.

Then using statistical* analysis they can identify unique signature patterns for each whisky. The team, whose research is published in the journal Chem, hope to develop kits that can be used by professionals and consumers to test whisky to see if it is real.(SD-Agencies)