1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

43

Gin to the prices at which it is advertised and pla- carded, and the further reduction requisite to clear the profit of 1*. 6d. per gallon. The list of ingredients used in flavoring or making up the Gin as advertised, is somewhat

not less for its length than for the articles

startling,

of which it is composed.

They are as follows :

Oil of Vitriol,

Sulphuric JEther,

Extract of Grace Root, Extract of Angelica Root, Extract of Capsicums, or Extract of Grains of Paradise,

Oil of Turpentine,

Oil of Juniper, Oil of Cassia,

Oil of Carraways, Oil of Almonds,

Water, Sugar, &c.

With respect to the first mentioned of these ar- ticles, viz. Oil of Vitriol, it is perhaps the most important of the whole list, as, from the pungency it imparts to the Spirit, it mainly assists in keeping up the appearance of strength, when applied to the nose, as the Extracts of Capsicums or of Grains of Paradise do when applied to the taste. Hence it is, that, in smelling a bottle containing Gin, in the flavoring of which Oil of Pitriol has been em- ployed, the pungency is so great, immediately after the bung has been taken out, as almost to make the eyes water, which is never the case, even with Gin at its highest strength, previously to its being sweetened. The quantities in which it is applied are various, according to the judgment of those, who have occa- sion to require its aid, though I have every reason to believe it is used in the greatest proportion to