Whisk(e)y

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Wednesday, March 30. 2016

Rumor from my Irish barber: the difference between the spelling of whisky or whiskey correlates almost perfectly with whether the country of origin has an “e” in its name. (For purposes of this game, Scotland is considered a country.)

I’m not convinced and want to hear from the Farm! Yes, Japan spells it without an “e”. The sole major outlier in the USA we found was Maker’s Mark Whisky, trying for a more effete look.

Posted by Gwynnie at 18:31 | Comments (14) | Trackbacks (0)

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Canada - "rye whisky".

#1 Frances on 2016-03-30 19:20 (Reply)

Although the usage divide (whisky: Scotch, Canadian / whiskey: Irish, American) is pretty much settled today, it wasn't always the case, certainly not until the early 20th Century.

If you do image searches for vintage brand labels and signs, you'll find that while Scotch (with rare exceptions) was always spelled whisky, the Irish stuff was routinely spelled both ways. Also American whiskey was sometimes spelled whisky.

#2 JJM on 2016-03-30 20:32 (Reply)

It's no rumor, or rumour as he might say. Your barber is correct.

Most American whiskeys come from one major distributor. Look for distilled, aged, and bottled; all three. Otherwise, they bought the mash and maybe after it was aged. I think Elijah Craig is good bourbon, personally. Even if it is cheap.

Jameson is so smooth it's a recipe for disaster. Good stuff.

I've read that Japan makes whiskey as good as anywhere in the western world, but I've never tried it.

#3 Jack Walter on 2016-03-30 20:54 (Reply)

Jameson and a cigar...on the patio next to the fire pit with snowflakes falling. Does it get any better?

#4 rocdoctom on 2016-03-30 22:09 (Reply)

Many years ago a friend of Irish lineage introduced me to Jameson's. It is, indeed, the finest of all. He also insisted that my lips should never touch Bushmill's. I understand that this is very political but to this day I'm still hazy as to which side I'm supporting.

#5 Roy Lofquist on 2016-03-31 00:41 (Reply)

a single malt scotch whisky (only malted barley and water from a single distillery), preferably a Highland, is the only whisky worth a damn.

or an Islay

#6 Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz on 2016-03-31 01:09 (Reply)

Scotland is a country, hence "United Kingdom".

#7 Black Swan on 2016-03-31 01:38 (Reply)

Yes.

England, Ireland (i.e., the whole island), Scotland and even Wales are all countries, even though they do not exist as sovereign states.

Wales was originally incorporated into the Kingdom of England as a subordinate principality. England (including Wales), Scotland and Ireland were the three kingdoms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. After the Irish Free State was established in 1922, the UK became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(So Ireland is a historical "country" divided between the Republic and the UK.)

Clear as mud!

I think we need another wee dram or two...

#7.1 JJM on 2016-03-31 13:14 (Reply)

If my memory serves, George Dickel also uses the "whisky" spelling.

#8 Snow Goose on 2016-03-31 06:30 (Reply)

I've always been partial to Bushmill's - Black Bush, in particular.

Visited Bushmill's in 2007 - great tour. Let my 11 and 13 year olds try some sips in the tasting room (just as they tried the Guinness at the brewery).

Jameson's is good, but I prefer their aged stuff and still don't think it's as good at Bushmill's.

Not a fan of Scotch, really.

But I do prefer bourbon - all kinds. Love Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Maker's 46 is good, but I have had the luck to try Pappy van Winkle and I do believe it lives up to the hype.

#9 Bulldog on 2016-03-31 09:55 (Reply)

Longtime reader, first time commenter. Work in a liquor store here in North Carolina as one of my jobs, and had noticed the same thing. The "is-there-an-E-in-the-country's-name" rule seems to be a pretty good rule of thumb, and is used by all of us slanging' the product when filling out requisitions, etc., at least down here. My two cents.

#10 Ben on 2016-03-31 11:22 (Reply)

Hmm...

Thinking further on this, and alas for your barber's general principle, Welsh (Wales), Breton (Bretagne/Breizh) and French (France) whiskies are all spelled whisky .

Mind you, in Welsh, Wales is Cymru - no e!

#11 JJM on 2016-03-31 13:23 (Reply)

I have heard all the theories and in my humble opinion only the water of life made in Scotland should be spelled whisky. Everything else is whiskey.
and Lagavulin is my tipple of choice, with any other western isle coming in as a substitute.

#12 missred on 2016-03-31 13:58 (Reply)

Isn't it spelled Whuskey as in: Cigareeats and whuskey and wild wild women, they'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane.

#13 Dave on 2016-03-31 23:07 (Reply)

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Wednesday, March 30. 2016

Whisk(e)y