Researchers based at the STFC Hartree Centre worked with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) using data analytics to tackle counterfeiting across the sector. Without efficient data processing techniques, the time cost prevents such techniques ever becoming part of a routine authentication provision within the Scotch Whisky sector. The SWRI carries out pre-competitive fundamental research on behalf of its members, representing approximately 90% of the production capacity of the sector. SWRI offers analytical services, using traditional techniques such as GC-FID (Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionisation Detector) or GC-MS (Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) to detect counterfeits. Using these methods to distinguish between different samples can be challenging given the complexity resulting from the number of different compounds present in the vapour above a whisky sample.