Whisky, one of the world’s largest spirits, has a history of its own. The name ‘whisky’ itself is a variant on the phrase ‘water of life’ indicting spirits. This word, in various spellings, is found today in some Scandinavian countries, and the French eau-de-vie translates in the same way. Rendered in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the term becomes uisge beatha or usquebaugh among other spellings. It eventually was mangled into the half anglicized whisky.
The oldest of today’s distilleries date from the 1700s. In the 1700s and early 1800s, production was small and irregular, and the notion of ‘brands’ or ‘trademarks’ was unknown in any industry.
Whisky was sold by the cask to country grocers and wine merchants. Johnnie Walker was one such a shopkeeper, George Ballantine another whereas the Chivas brothers were partners in a shop. These merchants dealt with the lack of consistency or volume by creating their own house vattings, and these became brands. John Dewar, who went into the business in 1806, was the first person to sell branded whisky in bottles.
The oldest rock through which a distillery’s spring water source flows is over 800 million years old and found on the Isle of Islay.
So you believe in being ‘the real McCoy’? Do you know where the well-known phrase was originally coined? It was first used in reference to Scotch whisky smuggled into the USA during Prohibition by Captain Bill McCoy. During Prohibition, Scotch whisky could be legally obtained through a doctor, but only for ‘medical’ purposes.
Queen Victoria, one of the few responsible for creating a demand for Scotch whisky outside Scotland, used to enjoy a daily dram in her tea.
The French drink more Scotch whisky than Cognac. This is because of a wine louse that wiped out all the French vineyards in 1880 and Scotch manufacturers took this opportunity to flood France with Scotch. And that has been the case ever since.
The proof of Scotch whisky (alcoholic strength) used to be tested by using gunpowder. The evaporation of whisky in oaken casks is called the 'Angel's Share'.
A peg of whisky contains only 104 calories - less than a standard glass of wine or half pint of beer.
Although not a cure, but definite aid to combat a heavy cold, there is nothing that could beat hot Scotch whisky toddy!
The most expensive bottle of spirits ever sold in the world is a bottle of aged Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The word ‘whisky’ is spelt differently around the world. While it is conventional to pronounce Scotch without an ‘e’, the invigorates from Ireland and the USA are spelt ‘whiskey’.
