Not For The Faint-Hearted

A Scotch whisky firm is following a 17th century recipe for its latest offering - a bottle that is 92% alcohol.

The Bruichladdich distillery on the west coast island of Islay is only producing 12 barrels of the 184-proof whisky. The 92% alcohol drink is as strong as whisky can get without being sold in a chemist's shop. A 1695 description of the whisky carries a health warning. It says: "The first taste affects all the members of the body. "Two spoonfuls of this liquor is a sufficient dose. If any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life." Bruichladdich said it would install webcams so customers thirsty with anticipation could watch the potentially lethal concoction being matured. But the firm said this would only happen "if the distillery doesn't explode during the process".