The Water of Life: Whiskey
International Whiskey Day is here, and that's a day we should always celebrate just because! Whiskey is truly one of the best inventions to grace this planet, don't you agree? Whether it's a great occasion or a simple decompression after a tiring day, you'll always find yourself reaching for whiskey – and that's the magic of the water of life! To celebrate, here are some fun facts to help you get to know more about your favorite drink.
The origin of “The Water of Life”
Have you ever wondered why whiskey is called 'The Water of Life,' even with a wide variety of alcohol out there? That's because of the Scottish Gaelic term for whiskey – uisge beatha – where uisge translates to water and beatha translates to life. In Latin, this translates to 'aqua vitae,' which quite literally means the water of life. This later becomes shortened to just uisge, eventually evolving into the beautiful word we know today: whiskey.
Wood and whiskey
Pop quiz! Does whiskey need to be aged in wooden barrels, or is it not necessary? Time is up! All whiskey should be aged in wooden barrels, no matter where it is produced in the world. From the colors to the flavors, the goodness of whiskey comes from how it is stored and aged in wooden barrels. Long ago, whiskeys were not the way they are today. Before being stored in wooden barrels, it was clear in color and had a rough taste. Due to trade in different parts of the world, they were stored in wooden barrels for convenience. Eventually, people discovered how this significantly improved whiskey, and that's why it remains a tradition now.
Whisky or whiskey?
So... the question remains – should it be spelled whiskey or whisky? Is one more correct than the other? The answer is no! It's not just a simple spelling variation that you can use interchangeably. The difference lies in its country of origin. “Whisky” refers to Scottish, Canadian, or Japanese grain spirits, while “whiskey” refers to grain spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States. One letter makes all the difference. However, even if countries share the same term for whiskey or whisky, they still have different variations in creating their own version of this wonderful drink.
Famous personalities and their favorite
Many famous personalities are tied to whiskey. One notable example is Sir Nikola Tesla, who believed that drinking whiskey would make him live for 150 years. Some speculate that he drank Dewar's Scotch Whiskey daily, fondly calling it the 'elixir of life.' Another celebrity closely tied to whiskey is the legend himself, Frank Sinatra. It is said that he was buried with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s as he loved it so dearly throughout his life. Haruki Murakami, a world-renowned Japanese writer and author, birthed this beautiful quote: 'Whisky, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it’s time to drink.'"
The world of whiskey today
The traditional way of making whiskey remains unshakable, continuously passed on with no doubts about its eternal existence. What's even more exciting is that, as time progresses, more people are experimenting with whiskey, allowing it to evolve into something greater than before. From different grain combinations to innovative aging methods, major distilleries around the world are striving to create whiskies that preserve tradition while taking it to the next level. What a time to be alive!
