š„ 13 Wonderful Facts about Whisky
Whiskey is one of the most-drunk alcoholic spirits in the world. However, there is a certain way of making whiskey, and the way it tastes can really differ from bottle to bottle, and from place to place. Even if you are a seasoned whiskey drinker, there may still be plenty of facts about the spirit that will surprise you. Here are a few fun facts about whiskey to mull over the next time you have a bourbon on the rocks.
1. Whiskey takes a while.
Whiskey is well-known for taking a longĀ timeĀ to get right. Good things come to those who wait! However, the age of the oldest whiskey in the world might astound you. The Guinness World Record holder for the oldest whiskey is theĀ Glenavon Special Liqueur, which is thought to have been first packaged in 1858. That means thereās a bottle of whiskey out there thatās almost 200 years old!
2. Thereās a six-figure bottle out there.
The most expensive whiskey on the planet is sure to make your bank managerās head spin. The biggest sale at auction for a bottle of whiskey came to an equivalent of Ā£393,109 ā the Macallan āMā is thought to be the priciest bottling of the spirit on the planet.
3. Itās the water of life.
The word āwhiskeyā translates into something rather telling. It actually comes from ancient Gaelic, and it is thought to mean ātheĀ waterĀ ofĀ lifeā.
4. It can disappear!
Whiskey, unfortunately, is known to evaporate during production. Donāt worry, however, as only around 2% disappears during barrel storage. Many in the trade refer to this 2% as āthe angelsā shareā.
5. Thereās a benchmark for strength.
Itās thought that a strong bottle of whiskey ā or one good enough to retail ā should be at least 40% volume, meaning that there are never going to be any bottles of the stuff that wonāt give a nice kick or two. Many bottles go well beyond 40%, however, so take it nice and slow!
6. Can whiskey help your health?
Itās thought that whiskey has hidden health benefits. Studies, of course, are always ongoing. However, research seems to suggest that it can help the body fight against strokes andĀ cancerĀ and drinking up to six glasses of whiskey a week could help to cut your dementia risk. However, as always, drinking in moderation is encouraged.
7. JD is a premium brand of whiskey.
Jack Danielās is one of the most popular whiskey brands in the world and is well-known for producing delicious flavor variations.Ā RatĀ Pack crooner Frank Sinatra was such a fan of the smooth JD that he asked to be buried with a bottle by his side. His wishes came true!
8. Some whiskies come in odd bottles.
Glenfiddich is a brand of whiskey thatāsĀ interestingĀ for its unique bottle shape. Rather than having round edges, it is triangular. This is thought to pay tribute to the three main ingredients in the whiskey making process, specifically air, barley, and water. Of course, there is more to brewing a good whiskey than just putting those together!
9. Scotland is whiskey country.
While single malt whiskey tends to be associated with breweries up inĀ Scotland, the country actually exports more blended spirits than single malt bottles.

A selection of Japanese whisky
10. ā¦but then, so is France!
FranceĀ is extremely passionate about whiskey ā so much so, that itās thought just less than 50% of all retail sales for spirits in the country revolve around whiskey. Of course, France is very much aĀ wineĀ nation ā but whiskey seems to be a runner-up for favorite tipples amongst the French!
11. The Scottish take the lead, though.
Scotland is well-known for being a hotbed of whiskey brewing and bottling. So much so, that there are thought to be more than 20 million unique casks nationwide, each one used for developing a delicious blend. Statistically, there are around four casks per person living in Scotland right now.
12. Ever tried scotch?
Scotch is a type of whiskey that has a few specific requirements expected of it. As youĀ mayĀ imagine, it must only come from Scotland itself.
13. Whiskey can last for decades.
Whiskey is preferred by many people as a premium alcoholic drink to wine. Thatās because it is known to last much longer. You could, in effect, keep a bottle of whiskey for more than 100 years, pour it out, and still have it taste the same! The effects are incredible! Whatās more, many people invest in aging whiskies as they tend to be collectorās items. Some bottles go for thousands at auction, if they are rare and/or old enough to catch a buyerās interest.
FAQs about Whiskey
Whatās the difference between whiskey and whisky?
They are the same thing - but in the US, itās spelled with an āeā! The Irish spell it this way, too.
Is whiskey a stronger drink than vodka?
In many ways, yes. Spirits experts will tell you that vodka tends to have much less flavor and thus less of a ākickā.
What does whiskey taste like?
All kinds of things - it depends on how itās made. Whiskey tends to carry an oaky, smoky flavor.
Do you know any fun facts about whisky? Ā Share them in the comments below!
This page was last modified on December 22, 2022. Suggest an edit