Bacardi tests robotic whisky inspection to detect ethanol leaks

Bacardi has begun testing whether advanced robotics can strengthen quality control inside its aging warehouses. The company is trialing robotic whisky inspection technology to detect small ethanol leaks that can quietly lead to costly losses over time.

In a first for the Scotch whisky sector, Bacardi is running the pilot at the John Dewar & Sons maturation site near Glasgow. The project focuses on identifying ethanol vapor in warehouse environments where traditional inspections can miss early warning signs.

How robotic whisky inspection works

The system uses a four-legged robot equipped with a specialized ethanol-sensing device. Engineers at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) designed a 3D-printed arm to carry the sensor, allowing the robot to follow a programmed route through the warehouse while continuously monitoring vapor levels.

The Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) supports the initiative, while NMIS developed the technology at its Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) in Irvine. Bacardi collaborated closely on the design and led baseline testing before launching the trial.

Beyond whisky: broader industrial potential

While the trial centers on whisky casks, the partners see broader applications. The same autonomous sensing approach could streamline routine inspections across industries such as chemicals, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Andrew Hamilton, Head of the DPMC, said the early results show strong promise. “Our aim here is to validate our own sensing kit and see whether robots can take on this type of inspection work,” he told The Spirits Business. He added that the project demonstrates how manufacturing technologies developed in Scotland can translate across multiple sectors.

Bacardi on innovation and efficiency

Angus Holmes, Whisky Category Director at Bacardi, emphasized that innovation complements tradition rather than replacing it. “Craftsmanship and heritage remain at the heart of our production of Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky and our portfolio of single malts,” Holmes said, speaking to The Spirits Business. “But there is also great potential for innovation and technology to help the industry become more efficient and data-driven.”

Holmes noted that Bacardi aims to move beyond trials and develop a live system for future use across its sites.

A lighter moment in a high-tech trial

The team has already embraced the robot’s presence on-site. Holmes shared that staff nicknamed it “Royal Bark-la,” a playful nod to Bacardi’s Royal Brackla single malt, highlighting how human curiosity continues to shape even the most technical projects.

Robots join a growing inspection toolkit

Robotic whisky inspection builds on earlier experiments in unconventional quality control. In 2021, Grant’s Whisky Distillery famously enlisted a trained cocker spaniel to detect imperfections in casks. Bacardi’s approach takes that idea into the digital age, combining automation, data, and mobility.

As the trial continues, the project could signal a shift in how distillers safeguard maturing stock—quietly, efficiently, and with a robotic companion roaming the warehouse aisles.

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Source of Information

The Spirits Business Article — Bacardi hires robotic dog to detect ethanol leaks, written by Georgie Collins

The image of the article is courtesy of © Vladimir Srajber via Canva.com