Minor Constituents of Whisky Fusel Oils.

SUMMARY —Basic, phenolic and lactonic fractions of the fusel oils obtained from Japanese and Scotch whiskies were analyzed mainly by means of gas‐liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Two picolines, three lutidines, two ethyl pyridines, α‐isopropyl and 2‐methyl‐5‐ethyl pyridines, quinoline, 2‐ and 6‐methyl quinolines, eight pyrazines, guaiacol and its three alkyl derivatives, phenol, two ethyl phenols, o‐isopropyl phenol, two cresols, 2,6‐xylenol, eugenol, o‐hydroxy acetophenone, 2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl acetophenone, γ‐nonalactone, cis‐ and trans‐3‐methyl‐4‐hydroxy caprylic acid γ‐lactone and five furan compounds were found in Japanese or Scotch whiskies. Origins of these compounds are discussed.