History of Whisky

Is it “whisky" or "whiskey”?  While the Americans and the Irish may prefer whiskey, the Scottish and Canadians prefer “whisky."

The Scotch whisky was originally only malt whisky with three strains based on number of distillations - Simplex had two distillations, composita had three, and perfectissima four. Today however modern technology does not require more distillations.  Definition of Scotch Whisky is now available in the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 which came into force on 23rd November 2009. The regulations identify following types –

• Single Grain Scotch Whisky
• Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Blended Scotch Whisky
• Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
• Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
• Blended Scotch Whisky

You may be surprised to know that originally whisky was drunk as it was produced; it was much later that people found that whisky if stored for sometime acquired some flavor and quality.  It was an important discovery in the history of whisky.

Origin

Though there are differing opinions, it is more or less agreed that whisky is of Celtic origin. The word “whisky” originates from the Gaelic – usque baugh in Irish and uisge beatha in Scots which meant aqua vitae or the ‘water of life'.  Believed to be a cure all, the aqua vitae was consumed more as a medicine at that time.

Techniques

The basic technique for distillation was used by the ancient Egyptians in perfume-making; they did not know distilling whisky. The distilling techniques were brought to Scotland by Christian missionary monks. In the fifteenth century, whisky was made in the monasteries for medicinal uses. With improvements in the distillation techniques in the 16th century, production of whisky resulted in better quality and purity gaining expansion in trade.

Recognition

You get the first documented reference to whisky in the Exchequer Rolls of 1494-95 in Scotland, in which you find a mention of making aqua vitae for Friar John Cor.

The first official recognition of the distillation activity came when the excise law came into being in Scotland in 1644 while the next was when England and Scotland agreed to have, across the border, the same level of taxation in 1707.

Milestones

When cognac, in the 1870, went out of favor because vineyards were infected with the phylloxera bugs, whisky became further popular. What became popular then, was the Blends which improved malt whisky by keeping the original flavor and aroma while making the pungency milder. Actually it was in 1909 that a Royal Commission gave the green signal for the grain spirit to be called whisky.

In 1839, the Chivas dynasty came into being. In 1882, Vat 69 was launched by Sanderson, while in 1909, Johnny Walker Red Label and in 1913, Teacher’s came on the scene.

500 years of Scotch production was celebrated in 1994. You will be surprised to know that 70 year old single malt, Mortlach was sold at Edinburgh Castle at £385 a shot and it costs £50,000 to buy one bottle of a Springbank distilled in 1919.