“…High levels of 2-butanol in spirits are usually associated with low quality raw materials, even though spirits rich in 2-butanol may have been produced from good quality starting raw materials (Orriols and Bertrand, 1990). In low quality spirits, 2-butanol accounts for unpleasant aromas and flavors (Guymon, 1971;Bertrand, 1975;Bertrand and Sukuta, 1976). It is well accepted that the formation of 2-butanol proceeds via enzyme-mediated reduction of 2,3butanediol by lactic acid bacteria (Matarese and Navarra, 1971;Bertrand and Sukuta, 1976;Gargano, 1985;Villalon et al, 1988), or spontaneously via oxidative degradation of 2,3-butanediol (Bertrand and Sukuta, 1976).…”