Spirits (Strength Ascertainment) Act, 1818

Spirits deemed to be of the strength denoted by Sikes's hydrometer, except spirits sweetened, &c. to defeat the operation of the hydrometer; and such spirits shall be forfeited.

Regulations for trying the strength of spirits by Clarke's hydrometer shall apply to Sikes's.

2. In and throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, all spirits shall be deemed and taken to be of the degree of strength at which the said hydrometer called Sikes's hydrometer, used under the directions of the commissioners of excise, shall, upon trial by any officer or officers of the customs or excise, denote such spirits to be, except any spirits (not being foreign cordials British brandy, or British compounds) which shall be sweetened or have any ingredient or ingredients mixed with or put into the same, so as to defeat the operation of the said hydrometer, or deceive the officer in trying the true strength thereof with the said hydrometer, whereby his Majesty may be defrauded; in all and every of which cases such spirits shall be forfeited, and shall and may be seized by any officer or officers of excise, any thing in any other Act or Acts to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding; and all rules, regulations, provisions, penalties, forfeitures, clauses, matters, and things in any Act or Acts contained, and not hereby expressly controuled or altered, nor repugnant to the provisions of this Act, relating to the ascertaining of the degree of strength of any spirits, or to the degree of strength of any spirits for any purpose whatever relating to the revenues of customs and excise, or either of them, by the said hydrometer called Clarke's hydrometer, or by any other hydrometer in that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland, shall be in full force and applied in all respects as to the said hydrometer called Sikes's hydrometer, as fully and effectually as if the same were hereby particularly re-enacted as to such last-mentioned hydrometer.