By Ranita Ray
27 March is International Whiskey Day. Whisky, like the day, has an exciting history. Whiskey, or whisky, has evolved from monks' medicine, a form of currency to global alcohol. Adding or dropping in the name of 'e' is just one factor. Here're 10 shocking facts and history.
The whiskey's namer is unknown. Some believe it comes from the Gaelic term uisce beatha meaning "water of life."
There is also the theory that the word "whisk" (or "whiscan"), an Old English verb, is where the term "whisky" comes from.
Whiskey may have originated around 1000–1200 AD. It was when monks brought distillation to Scotland and Ireland monasteries and fermented grain mash to make whiskey.
Monks in Ireland and Scotland started distilling powerful spirits. Whiskey's initial application was as a medicine due to widespread faith in its curative properties.
Eventually, whiskey arrived in the US. After years of distillation and realising its worth, distillers used whiskey as currency during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1791, a new excise helped pay off Revolutionary War debt. A new excise charge was placed on domestically produced distilled spirits. Due to whiskey's popularity, the excise was known as the "Whiskey Tax."
Despite their similarities in spelling and pronunciation, whisky and whisky are different. There's more to it than just changing the spelling to exclude an 'e'.
Whisky without the "e" is the preferred spelling in Scotland and Canada. This Scotch whisky requires two distillations and at least three years ageing in wood barrels.
Whisky with an "e" is how the Irish and the Americans spell it. American whiskey is often aged in a wider variety of casks and only goes through one distillation.
Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, and Rye are among the many types of whisky consumed worldwide. Each has its own taste and production process.