Just some quick scotch facts about scotch
- The first reference to aqua vitae (Latin for “water of life”) in Scotland is 1494.
- The word whisky comes from the Gaelic term for “water of life” – uisge beatha.
- The spelling “whisky” is used in Scotland, Canada, and few other nations.
- The spelling “whiskey” is used in the US and Ireland.
- Whisky rose to popularity in the late 1800s in part due to the shortage of wine and brandy, which was caused by the profound devastation of French grapes by the phylloxera louse.
- Rye whiskey is made from rye malt.
- Bourbon is made from corn.
- By law, Canadian whisky must be produced with all cereal grains.
- Spent grain from whisky production can be used as animal feed.
- Whisky’s color comes from its cask aging.
- Single Malt vs Blended Whisky
- Single malts must be produced at an individual distillery in Scotland from malted barley. Blended whisky combines malt whiskies with grain whiskies for a smoother taste. The ratio is generally 20-50% malt whisky to 50-80% grain whisky. The age of blended Scotch is dictated by the age of the youngest whisky in the blend.