Scotch, The World's Leading Spirit
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or hundreds of years, whisky has been distilled in Scotland with the earliest documented record dating as long ago as 1494. While whisky is made only in Scotland, it is enjoyed all around the world to the point that many countries treasure this beverage even higher than their own national drink. France, for example drinks more Scotch than Cognac.
Is there a difference between Scotch and Scotch whisky? No. But there is a difference in whisky and whiskey—the spelling, for one.
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Scotch whisky is malted barley twice distilled and aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years, although in Scotland it is allowed to age for 8-20 years. Scotch made in Scotland, Canada and England is called Scotch whisky (no e) while that made in Ireland and the US is Scotch Whiskey. To be clear, all Scotch is whisky but not all whisky is Scotch. Originally, Scotch was made only from malted barley. In the 18th century, commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye whole grains.
The distinctive smooth flavor of Scotch comes from producers who “malt� the barley grain to turn the starch into sugar prior to fermenting. Some use peat to add a smoky taste. Scotch itself has a long history dating back to 1494 when it was made in monasteries for medicinal purposes usually prescribed to relieve colic, palsy and even smallpox. The tax records of the day, the Exchequer Rolls lists an entry for 'Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aqua vitae' (water of life). This was sufficient to produce almost 1,500 bottles. A boll was an old
