Nuclear bomb tests help to identify fake whisky

[Are_grits_groceries]

Bottles of vintage whisky can sell for thousands of pounds each, but industry experts claim the market has been flooded with fakes that purport to be several hundred years old but instead contain worthless spirit that was made just a few years ago.

Scientists have found, however, that minute levels of radioactive carbon absorbed by the barley as it grew before it was harvested to make the whisky can betray how old it is.

Researchers at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, which is funded by the National Environmental Research Council, discovered that they could pinpoint the date a whisky was made by detecting traces of radioactive particles created by nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s.

They can also use natural background levels of radioactivity to identify whiskies that were made in earlier centuries.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/5261586/Nuclear-bomb-tests-help-to-identify-fake-whisky.html

Who knew? I'm sure this was the goal of the tests anyway.

[annabanana]

1. lol... talk about taking a gnat out with an elephant gun!

That IS however, one interesting tidbit, that those test should have such a long lasting effects.

[Confusious]

2. radioactivity can last for centuries, thousands of years even

But its not much to worry about, I think. You probably get 1 or 2 more RAD if your standing in New Mexico then the middle of the Atlantic. A good solar flare from the sun will even that out.

what they are testing for is probably a .01% to .001% difference.

[Optical.Catalyst]

3. I am overjoyed to see the smartest of the smartest identifying counterfeit whiskey

A good strong drink of the finest whiskey has been found to be a necessary component for discovering sub atomic particles.

We can't let counterfeit whiskey impede the progress of science.

[Oregone]

4. "instead contain worthless spirit that was made just a few years ago"

Worthless? They'll probably still get you messed up, just the same. But if you need to pay more than the going rate for alcohol, "worthless" or not, please call me to help you loosen your purse strings.