How to Spot a Fake Whisky Bottle? 5 Tips

Sunday, 12 October 2025 at 07:00

If there's one thing you don't want when you make a purchase, it's to get a counterfeit product. You want real Nike shoes on your feet, you want a genuine watch, and you want an authentic bottle of whisky. This is especially crucial for investors. Here are some tips to spot a fake bottle of whisky.

FAQ

Is there a lot of fake whisky?
In some parts of the world there is mor fake whisky than in other parts.
How can you spot fake whisky?
By checking the seal and caps, looking for holograms, checking the label and more.
What to do with fake whisky?
Do not buy or drink it and report it to the authorities.

You might not always think about it, but even in the whisky world, there are fake products out there. And when you're investing your hard-earned money into a bottle, you'll want it to be genuine whisky.

Whether you plan to drink it or buy it as an investment, it doesn't matter. The bottle of whisky you've purchased must be authentic. It's as simple as that. But how can you identify such a bottle? How can you tell if you're holding a real bottle of whisky and not a fake?

The best approach is to buy your whisky bottle from a specialized whisky store, and ideally, get a certificate with it. However, if this isn't possible, or if you simply want to know more, we've got some tips for you.

Watch for a hologram (including QR code)

Some whisky bottles use a hologram that's adhered to the neck of the bottle. The famous whisky brand The Macallan, for instance, has been using this method since 2000. Additionally, some holograms now include a QR code that directs you to a website where you can verify the bottle's details. Not every brand does this, but some do, including Ardnamurchan, for instance.

Pay attention to the bottle fill level

You might think that when you buy a bottle, you want a high fill level. After all, you want to buy as little air as possible and maximize the value for your money. But be careful. Did you know that older whisky bottles actually have a lower fill level and often some residue? This is particularly true for sherry matured whiskies.

Mind the air bubbles for an alcohol content of 50 percent or higher

By definition, a spirit can only be called whisky if its alcohol content is 40 percent or higher, and not all whiskies are equally strong after that. There are plenty of whiskies bottled at 46 or 48 percent ABV. But that's not what we're focusing on now.

Our focus is on specific cask strength whiskies with an alcohol content of 50 percent or higher. If you shake a bottle of this intensely, the formed bubbles should disappear after about 20 seconds. If they don't, you know something's not right.

If the bubbles disappear within three seconds, you know the alcohol content is around 40 percent, and the contents of your bottle are clearly not as advertised. To be clear, we're talking about the visible air bubbles that rise to the surface of the liquid.

Check the labels

The next one is quite simple but one you might easily overlook: watch for spelling mistakes. We're talking about errors on the bottle and on the label. Counterfeit versions aren't above using incorrect spelling.

So, do a bit of online research before you buy. Luckily, there's a wealth of information on the internet, so you can verify how the whisky's name should be spelled. One mistake on the label can tell you everything. Also, pay attention to the font, something you might not think about, but can sometimes be slightly different.

Always buy at a trusted whisky store, like Whisky Exchange.

Above all, be careful

There are many other indicators. Fraud can be detected in various elements, such as the bottle, the glass, the bottle code, the cork, the capsule, and so on. Even the contents may not be correct, although this would need to be verified in a laboratory.

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