Today, there is a great need to cut words and alter their spelling to match your social needs. Especially in spirits, names can be the subject of disagreement among different communities that are producing the same thing.
So, what can you do if some people spell whiskey one way, while others spell it differently? This is a point of confusion between both parties. This is the time we put all the data on the table and let you decide which is the best for your needs. The product will remain the same, but the name is up to you to regulate and check.
Whisky or Whiskey?
There are many whiskeys, especially when you have variations such as bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and Canadian. Most of the time, these variations include the same substances, but have some slight taste variations which allow drinkers to distinguish them easily.
As a general rule, Englishmen and Irishmen prefer to spell the names of their spirits “whisky,” while their American compatriots refer to the same spirit as whiskey. No matter how it is spelled, a glass of whiskey is always welcome during cold winter nights.
We find alterations of the whiskey name on many bottles of the 19th century. It seems that many Americans who needed to declare a cultural independence from the British metropolis liked to alter their favorite spirit’s name. Whiskey has been prevalent in the United States and Canada and came to characterize the bourbon-like spirits that are mostly produced in such areas.
There are also some other producers across the world that prefer to christen their spirits whisky. These are mostly Japanese and Scottish producers that are primarily concerned with gaining publicity. They are already enjoying so much more advertisement that they don’t really need to alter their whisky name to any other existing variation.
What Could Be a Viable Solution for the Naming Issue?
Most of the naming issues derive from different cultural beliefs. Some of the American populations are adding an extra “e” at the ends of words to accentuate a special tone in voice. This makes them different from persons that were their ancestors in different parts of the world.
For instance, British people are always writing “whisky” and not “whiskey,” which has been the major alteration of American people. However, this problem could have been resolved if somebody proposed a common rule for both languages.
Neither of the two alterations is wrong, but only one should be used in official papers. That means when America exports to Britain, it should be spelled “whisky,” and when Britain does the same to America, the name should be written as “whiskey.”
Everybody would be happy with this solution that respects the root of both names and it would give people the chance to use the one they feel comfortable with in any possible occasion. Since the most important thing when enjoying whisky is not how it is spelled but its taste, let’s focus on more important aspects.
Your role is to have knowledge of the historical name origins when drinking whiskey. This will help you to better evaluate the chance you have to enjoy a drink that comes from the exhausting efforts of your ancestors.
Whisky Will’s the name and Scotch is my game! I am obsessed with whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches and love to write about them. Whisky Grotto is my playground where I educate the world about whisky, bartending, and more. So, keep sipping your drink and have a good time!