Events, Trivia, and News:
In the United States, Whiskey is spelled with an ‘e’, following the traditional Irish spelling. Only three distilleries – George Dickel, Makers Mark, and Old Forester, use the Scottish spelling – whisky. Legend has it that George Dickel was of the opinion that his whisky was as good as Scotch Whisky and therefore should be spelled the same.
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Three quarters of the world’s whisky is produced (and consumed) in India.
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Un-aged bourbon whiskey is referred to as White Dog.
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Sir Winston Churchill was once asked about his position on whisky. Here’s how he answered:
“If you mean whisky, the devil’s brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean that evil drink that topples men and women from the pinnacles of righteous and gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, shame, despair, helplessness and hopelessness, then, my friend, I am opposed to it with every fibre of my being. However, if by whisky you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the elixir of life, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean good cheer, the stimulating sip that puts a little spring in the step of an elderly gentleman on a frosty morning; if you mean that drink that enables man to magnify his joy, and to forget life’s great tragedies and heartbreaks and sorrow; if you mean that drink the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of pounds each year, that provides tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitifully aged and infirm, to build the finest highways, hospitals, universities, and community colleges in this nation… then my friend, I am absolutely, unequivocally in favour of it..!!! This is my position, and as always, I refuse to compromise on matters of principle!”
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In Canada and Great Britain, it’s spelled whisky. Everywhere else it’s whiskey.
Happy holidays. In North America, Christmas tradition is to leave milk and cookies for Santa. Old Scottish tradition, however, is to leave mincemeat tarts and whisky for the jolly old elf. I suspect that he’s quite jolly after a few Scottish households.
PEI Spirits Festival – Nov 16/19 – Confederation Center
This relatively new festival is proving to be a hit. It’s an excellent way to sample a wide range of products and to explore the world of whisky. I recommend it for both beginners and seasoned whisky veterans. I hope to see you at the Confederation Center at 7 pm this Saturday.
Whisky Love.
Whisky Love 