The word whisky originates from the Gaelic 'usquebac', meaning 'the water of life.'

The earliest documented record of distilling in Scotland was 1494. In the Exchequer Rolls of Dunfermaline, the then capital, 'eight bolles of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aquavitae (water of life) - this is nearly a ton of barley, enought to make 1,400 bottles of spirit.

It is widely believed that the first distillers of whisky were, in fact, the Irish - the Scots however claim to have perfected the art.

With the act of union with England in 1707, excise duties were first levied on Scotch whisky, a practice which, unfortunately, still continues to this very day.

If you wish to know more about the history of whisky - we have some great books.

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