International Whisk(e)y Day is soon approaching on March 27th this year. Whether your dram of choice be with or without the “e”, please join us at JAK’s in celebrating!
The term whisky stems from the Gaelic term, uisce beatha which means “the water of life”. Over centuries this was shortened to uisce and the pronunciation slowly morphed into ish-key to the whisky spelling we know today.
What about the ‘e’?
A good rule of thumb is that if the country has an “e” in its name, whiskey is spelt with an “e” (i.e., Ireland, United States) and no “e” in the country name (i.e., Canada, Scotland, Japan, India), it is spelt whisky.
The story goes, that during the golden age of Irish whiskey in the 19th century, there were strong differences between Dublin’s distilleries and some of the distilleries producing elsewhere in Ireland. The Dublin distilleries felt that their product was superior to the rest of the country’s spirits and to distinguish themselves, they started using the “e”. As Irish Distillers and the country banded together, the “e” then became the norm.
Sunshine in a Glass
Whatever the spelling and wherever in the world, this golden elixir often referred to as “sunshine in a glass” is universally represented as a grain-based spirit that has been aged in oak casks for a time allotted period.
Please join us in raising a glass of your sunshine of choice to toast the golden water of life this Sunday!
Muckle Flugga Single Malt Scotch (Speyside, Scotland) - $94.99
Produced in Speyside then shipped in first-use Sherry Casks to the isle of Unst in the Shetlands for ageing. These casks then slumber near the Muckle Flugga lighthouse (built by Robert Louis Stevenson's father in 1854).
Gentle, smooth and classically Speyside with aromas of sweet spice, blossom, pear and honey. The over wintering in the Shetland Isles adds a touch of salinity to the finish.