‘Whiskey’ or ‘Whisky’?
Whisky/whiskey, a highly versatile grain spirit with numerous styles, distillation processes and histories, is often categorised by its spelling, the inclusion (or omission) of the ‘e’ commonly connoting the difference between Scotch and Irish whiskey, and in some cases, what is for traditionalists and enthusiasts. While at the Secret Bottle Shop we are enthusiastic about all styles of whisk(e)y, Scotch is indeed broadly unique from American and Irish whiskies in its omission of the ‘e’. However, where does this difference originate, you may ask? Is it a reliable rule of thumb, and is it fair to see ‘whisky’ as the “OG”?
Etymology
The term "whisky" has roots in the Latin "aqua vitae," meaning "water of life," which was used to describe distilled spirits. In Old Gaelic, this became "uisge beatha" (pronounced Ooshka Bayy), eventually evolving into "uisce," "uiskie," "whiskie," and ultimately "whisky." The confusion between "whisky" and "whiskey" lies partly in language and dialect. Some argue the addition of the "e" in "whiskey" was a way for Irish distillers to distinguish their product from rural distillers, not necessarily from their Scottish counterparts. This spelling convention spread, though inconsistently, to the United States. Meanwhile, most of the world sticks to "whisky" without the extra "e."
A Matter Of History
The story of whisk(e)y’s origins is as contentious as the spelling of the word itself, both Scotland and Ireland laying claim to its origins.
Irish legend claims that St. Patrick taught the Irish how to distill whiskey around 1,500 years ago, though there is no definitive proof of this. What we do know for sure is that the Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland, with its 1608 license to distill, is the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. Some sources date its discovery in Ireland to the 13th century, monks returning from Europe having learned of alembic distillation – an Islamic invention – the advent of distilled alcohol following shortly after.
In Scotland, the first documented production of whisky appears in the late 1400s in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls. In the 1500s as King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, monks began distilling whisky in farms and homes across the country. This practice spread quickly and became a staple of Scottish culture. In practice, the movement of people between Ireland and Scotland in this period led to the widespread adoption of distilled beverages across the region. However, whether due to the uncertain legal status of distilling in Scotland, or the potential early advantage Irish distillers had in the course of history, Ireland gained international recognition for its distilling expertise first in the late 18th century.
Either way, both countries share the rich heritage of this spirit, with each playing a pivotal role in its development, neither ‘whisky’ nor ‘whiskey’ denoting a more “proper” or “pure” tradition over the other.
Regional And Individual Spelling
What makes this all the more contentious is that there are many exceptions in the use of these terms. While Scotland typically sticks with the e-less spelling, there are some historical records showing "whiskey" being made in the Highlands. Furthermore, in Ireland, there are historic advertisements using the term ‘whisky,’ and even today, it is still used by brands such as Blackwater. In Japan, most distilleries follow the Scottish tradition, although big names like Kirin market their grain whiskey with an ‘e.’ In the U.S., while ‘whiskey’ is dominant, some major brands like Maker’s Mark and George Dickel have always used ‘whisky.’
Of course, there are some basic differences in the characteristics of Irish, U.S. and Scotch whiskies. The Irish and Scotch generally stick with barley as their source, the Irish triple-distilling their spirit to impart a purer, fresher style, and the U.S. generally including corn and American oak in their production which adds some extra richness. However again, there are many exceptions to this rule, and this does not account for the many distilleries across the world with different styles which use both ‘whisky’ and ‘whiskey’. Ultimately, the difference in spelling comes down to regional choice, tradition, and personal preference—not a definitive rule based on the spirit itself.
And there you have it - a brief history behind the emergence of whisk(e)y and its different spellings. While either may carry a certain reputation, the ominous ‘e’ is merely a choice based on heritage or regional norms, with some exceptions. Either way, you can rest assured that among our wide range of whiskies, each spelling represents a drink crafted with care by its distillery!