Is it whiskey or whisky? That single letter ‘e’ has sparked loads of confusion, dialog, and (dare I say) anger within the whisk(e)y group. However that is greater than a spelling situation. It’s a narrative of historical past, geography, taste, and nationwide identification.
The place the Phrase Comes From
Each “whiskey” and “whisky” come from the identical supply. The phrase traces again to the Scottish Gaelic phrase uisge beatha, which implies “water of life.” That phrase, in flip, comes from the Latin aqua vitae, used in the course of the Center Ages to explain distilled alcohol.
Over time, uisge beatha advanced phonetically into “usky” after which into “whisky.” The spelling distinction got here later, because the spirit traveled the globe.
Whisky vs. Whiskey: Which Is Proper?
The spelling is determined by the place the spirit is made. Right here’s the overall rule:
Whiskey with an e is utilized in Eire and america
Whisky with out an e is utilized in Scotland, Canada, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and so on. Mainly, any whisky-producing nation that isn’t Eire or america.
This isn’t a tough rule, although. For instance, Maker’s Mark is a Kentucky bourbon model, but it surely makes use of the Scottish spelling, “whisky.” Moreover, Beyonce’s SirDavis model calls its spirit “whisky”. Actually, in accordance with official TTB laws, the authorized spelling continues to be “whisky”. Nevertheless, most U.S. producers use the spelling with an ‘e’.
The Whisky Professor, writing for scotchwhisky.com in 2017, stated: “Actually, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) rules… use the spelling ‘whisky’ as the right authorized time period. ‘Whiskey’ is permitted as a result of it’s conventional. Nearly all of distillers, you would argue, are exceptions and people corresponding to Maker’s and Dickel are abiding by the regulation.”
There are comparable anomalies in historic texts, the place Irish distillers generally used the spelling with out an ‘e’, and Scottish distillers used it with one.
The plural type follows the identical sample. We are saying whiskeys for American or Irish types, and whiskies for scotch and most others. Once more, although, there are some exceptions.
So, the place did the ‘e’ come from? The widespread principle is that Nineteenth-century Irish distillers added it to differentiate their whiskey from lower-quality scotch on the time. When Irish immigrants introduced their distilling expertise to america, they introduced the spelling with them.
Regional Guidelines and Kinds
The spelling is only one a part of the story. Different variations lie within the manufacturing course of, authorized definitions, and taste.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch is ruled by strict guidelines. To be labeled “scotch whisky,” the spirit should be:
- Distilled and aged in Scotland
- Matured in oak barrels for not less than three years
- Made out of water, malted barley, and different complete grains
The Scotch Whisky Affiliation defines 5 official sorts:
- Single Malt Scotch: 100% malted barley, from one distillery
- Single Grain Scotch: Can embrace different grains, additionally from one distillery
- Blended Malt Scotch: A mixture of single malts from a number of distilleries
- Blended Grain Scotch: A mixture of single grain whiskies
- Blended Scotch: A mixture of malt and grain whiskies
American Whiskey
American whiskey is extra various. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Commerce Bureau (TTB) regulates the class, and there are a number of subtypes:
- Bourbon: At the very least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels
- Tennessee Whiskey: Bourbon made in Tennessee with charcoal filtering
- Rye Whiskey: At the very least 51% rye grain
- Corn Whiskey, Wheat Whiskey, Malt Whiskey
- Blended Whiskey, Straight Whiskey, Gentle Whiskey
- American Single Malt: 100% malted barley, aged in new, charred, or used oak barrels and made at a single distillery
(Notice that the above definitions are simplified. If I have been to put in writing in regards to the particular and prolonged necessities for every fashion, this text could be very lengthy. With that being stated, let me know if that’s one thing you want to see on The Whiskey Wash.)
Every whiskey fashion has its personal mash invoice, distillation technique, and growing old necessities. These guidelines form the spirit simply as a lot as regional traditions do.
What About Canada, Japan, and Past?
Canadian whisky is normally spelled with out the ‘e’. It usually features a excessive proportion of rye grain, which provides it a lighter, spicier profile.
Japanese whisky tends to observe Scottish strategies. Many distilleries use copper pot stills and import barley from Scotland. The spelling displays this alignment.
Different international locations like Australia, France, and India have a tendency to make use of the “whisky” spelling too, usually emulating both the Scottish or Japanese fashion.
Can You Style the Distinction?
In lots of instances, sure. However not due to the spelling.
In quite simple phrases, scotch tends to have an earthier high quality than whiskies from different areas, particularly when peated. Single malts supply wealthy, advanced layers. Irish whiskey is often triple-distilled, which provides it a lighter, smoother style.
American whiskey has a sweeter profile, particularly in bourbon, resulting from its excessive corn content material. Rye whiskeys are sometimes bolder and spicier.
That stated, there’s no single taste that separates all “whiskeys” from all “whiskies.” The substances, distillation course of, and barrels used all play a job.
The easiest way to know what you’re ingesting is to learn the label. Test the place it was made and the way. That can inform you excess of how the phrase is spelled.
Lew Bryson, creator of Tasting Whiskey: An Insider’s Information to the Distinctive Pleasures of the World’s Best Spirits, pointed to the distinction in environment when ingesting various kinds of whiskies as properly:
“Good buddies and good whiskey are a terrific factor, and so they’re all a bit totally different. Once I consider nights ingesting bourbon, I consider laughter and card taking part in. Once I consider nights ingesting Scotch, I consider music and, as a rule, speaking about whisky. However once I consider the nights I’ve loved Irish whiskey, what I consider are tales.”
So, while the spelling distinction is likely to be arbitrary, it might probably additionally converse to diverging experiences when having fun with one sort of whisky vs. one other. It has nothing to do with the spelling and every thing to do with fashion.
So, Which One Is Appropriate?
Each.
“Whiskey” and “whisky” are equally legitimate. They mirror native spelling preferences and manufacturing traditions. The vital half is just not the way it’s spelled, however the way it’s made and what it tastes like.
In the long run, it’s all about private style. The one actual mistake is just not having fun with what’s in your glass.
And if you happen to’re about to level out my spelling, don’t fear. I’m fluent in each whisky and whiskey.
