Whisky

Whisky (or whiskey) is an alcoholic beverage distilled from grain, often including malt, which has then been aged in wooden barrels.

Spelling

The spelling whisky (plural whiskies) is generally used for those distilled in Scotland, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey (with an e; plural whiskeys) is used for the spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States; however, there are exceptions. Kentucky, for example, usually spells its produce "whisky". A mnemonic used to remember which spelling is used is that "Ireland" and "United States" have at least one "e" in their names, while "Scotland," "Canada" and "Japan" do not. International law reserves the term "Scotch whisky" to those whiskies produced in Scotland; whiskies produced in other countries in the Scotch style must use another name. Similar conventions exist for "Irish whiskey," "Canadian whisky," and "Bourbon Whiskey." In North America, the abbreviated term "Scotch" is usually used for "Scotch Whisky." In England, Scotland, and Wales, the term "Whisky" almost always refers to "Scotch Whisky", and the term "Scotch" is rarely used by itself.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Canada - Japan - Ireland - United States - Mnemonic - International law - North America - England - Wales

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The Welsh version is wysgi. The name is derived from Gaelic uisge beatha (water of life). (Other countries also have their own "water of life": see the Scandinavian Akvavit, whose name derives from the Latin aqua vitae.)

Related Topics:
Welsh - Gaelic - Scandinavian - Akvavit - Latin

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Irish whiskey is typically distilled three times from a mash of several grains. Scottish whisky, properly called Scotch, is typically distilled twice, either from barley malt alone (see single malt whisky), or from barley malts and other grain malts which are then mixed together. Kentucky whiskey, called Bourbon, is normally only distilled once, as are most other American and Canadian whiskies.

Related Topics:
Scotch - Single malt whisky - Bourbon

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