Water of Life: the Facts

Whisky or Whiskey, depending on its country of origin, is a Gaelic word which translates into simply “water of life”. As with most subjects steeped in such rich history, to learn about whiskey is to do more than just read the bottle label. Therefore, based on various and sundry sources (including, dubiously, my own experience) here's a brief factorial:

• 1400s: A monk, John Cor, received orders from King James IV to acquire malt for the production of 'water of life.'

• 1500s: Henry VIII dissolved many monasteries (and hence, whiskey producers) so farmers began to illegally make whiskey from surplus barley.

• 1600s: The Scottish parliament passed the first alcohol tax in order to raise funds for King Charles I to go to war. He did.

• 1700s: Whiskey was used as currency during the American Revolution - and almost caused another one, the Whiskey Rebellion.

• 1800s: Whiskey taxes were reduced, legal distilleries emerged and “official” whisky established itself.

• 1900s: America's 'Prohibition' banned whiskey sales... then allowed them... then encouraged them.

• 2000s: Enjoy!

There is of course much more to the story, and for this we recommend the trusty Wikipedia.