It's said "What whiskey won't cure, there's no cure for."  Scientists in Scotland applied that adage to alternative fuel and brewed up biofuel made from whiskey byproducts.

News of the development tends to elicit a "say-it-isn't-so" response among some who catch the word "whiskey" and not the other bits, then leap to the conclusion that using spirits to power cars would be a terrible waste.

But Professor Martin Tangney, director of the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, assured The Financial Times (registration required) that his team's biofuel is made from byproduct, not the booze itself. He said:

"While some energy companies are growing crops specifically to generate biofuel, we are investigating excess materials such as whisky byproducts to develop them ...

"This is a more environmentally sustainable option and potentially offers new revenue on the back of one of Scotland's biggest industries."

Researchers spent two years getting the formula just right. Their blend uses "pot ale," the liquid waste product from distilling Scotch whisky, and spent grains, called draff.

The result is butanol, which scientists say produces 25 percent more energy per unit volume than ethanol, and can be used in unmodified engines with any gasoline blend.



Wondering about the spelling of whiskey? The Scottish tipple is spelled this way "Scotch whisky" when both words are used, according to our favorite reference, the Associated Press Stylebook -- though Scots consider the word "Scotch" to be implied when they refer to the drink made in their country from malted barley that is dried over a peat fire. Whiskey is a generic reference to the beverage, which can be distilled from several grains.

Image CC licensed by Flickr users sashafatcat and magerleagues. YouTube video courtesy of Scottish Development International.