The quantitative analysis of potable spirits has for a long time been limited to overall determinations of different chemical classes of compounds. The application of GLC has for some years been developed along two different lines -- methods for determining the higher alcohols, and on the other hand qualitative analyses, making use of more sophisticated techniques, which have enabled several hundred different compounds to be identified in different types of spirits. It appeared to be of interest to develop a technique for routine quantitative analysis which would enable the maximum number of volatile compounds to be determined. The extraction of the volatile compounds of spirits with carbon disulphide can be carried out simply and reproducibly with a small sample size (10 ml). The experimental conditions for the extraction step and the GLC analysis (packed or capillary columns, manual or automatic injection, automatic processing of results, etc.) are discussed. A splitless injector using the "solvent effect" is required for analysis of the non-concentrated carbon disulphide extracts in the case of capillary columns.