Het Whisky Forum

DEADLY chemicals used for anti-freeze are in fake branded booze flooding the country.

Hundreds of licensed premises could be selling the counterfeit alcohol, which can cause blindness, liver failure or even death. The chemicals, which are also used in cleaning fluids, are in pirated versions of top brands.

Hospitals are seeing an increasing number of patients who believe they have fallen ill from spiked drinks but have actually drunk the fake brands. Consultant Vikas Sodiwala, from Lincoln County Hospital, warned: “Drinking this could lead to liver and kidney failure and ultimately death.”

Top brands faked include The Famous Grouse whisky and Foster’s lager. The ­bottles and cans are so well duplicated it is almost impossible to tell the difference.

In March, Trading Standards officers and police raided three stores in Boston, Lincs, and found fake Smirnoff vodka. And only last week, five men were killed when an illegal vodka distillery exploded in the town.