Lasers used to detect counterfeit whisky

BBC : Apparently the counterfeiting of whisky is a major problem for Scottish distilleries. However, researchers at St. Andrews University have found a novel way of detecting the fakes: with the use of lasers. Physicists Praveen Ashok, Kishan Dholakia, and Bavishna Praveen found that they can detect a whisky’s brand, age, and cask by shining a laser on a mere teardrop-sized sample. Their findings from the use of near-IR spectroscopic analysis have been published in Optics Express. On a related note, the Scottish National Party is trying to enforce minimum alcohol pricing to tackle what Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon called “Scotland’s alcohol problem.”