Whiskey is enjoyed throughout the world and is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages ever to exist. While it is so popular, we’d still wager that there are many interesting facts about whiskey you never knew.
Whiskey is an alcoholic spirit that is a fan favourite of liquid connoisseurs across the world. It has been regarded as liquid sunshine and the nectar of life by many.
In Ireland, there is even a saying that hails the drink as a cure for any ailment. The saying goes, “What whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for.”
Whiskey is a very versatile drink; as a spirit, it is often regarded as a high-end and more sophisticated drink than many others. It is also a fascinating and interesting drink with a vibrant history.
Many famous figures are said to have enjoyed a glass of whiskey whilst partaking in some quiet contemplation.
In this article, we will list what we believe will be ten facts about whiskey you never knew.
10. Whiskey lasts forever – a timeless drink
Whiskey is unique as it can, technically speaking, last forever.
As long as a bottle of whiskey is unopened and kept out of direct sunlight, it can be stored forever and retain its quality.
9. Whiskey starts its life as beer – beer made better
Most people are probably unaware that whiskey starts its life as beer as it is made from the wort, which is the ‘beer’ that gets distilled.
8. There are millions of barrels of whiskey around the world – a large supply of whiskey
There are currently millions of barrels of whiskey ageing around the world.
According to the latest statistics, Jack Daniels currently has 2.3 million barrels ageing, and Jameson has 1.3 million.
Due to the ageing process required in distilling whiskey, there are always millions of barrels of whiskey being stored in distillery warehouses.
7. Whisky or whiskey – what’s the difference between the two terms?
You may have seen whiskey often spelt as ‘whisky’ and wondered which was the correct spelling. Well, both are technically correct.
Whiskey is the preferred term that is used by the Irish and Americans, whereas the term whisky is used in countries such as Japan, Canada, Scotland, and the rest of the world.
6. Whiskey was prescribed by doctors during Prohibition – a strange prescription
During Prohibition in the United States, whiskey was prescribed by doctors to patients for medicinal purposes similar to the way medical marijuana is prescribed today.
During the first year of Prohibition, it was estimated that doctors prescribed around 64 million pints of liquor.
5. The meaning of the word whiskey – the water of life
The word whiskey is derived from the Gaelic word ‘uisge beathe’, which translates as ‘water of life’.
This word would later go on to be pronounced as ‘uski’, which then eventually turned into the word whiskey that we all know today.
4. Macallan ‘M’ whiskey is the most expensive drink in the world – a costly purchase
The most expensive whiskey in the world is Macallan ‘M’ whiskey, which was auctioned at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for £393,109 (€430,000).
The six litres of whiskey were drawn from Spanish oak sherry casks that dated from the 1940s to the 1990s.
3. The world’s oldest whiskey is over 150 years old – a classic drink
Currently, the most aged whiskey in the world is over 150 years old.
The 400ml bottle of Glenavon Special Liqueur Whiskey holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s oldest whiskey and is said to have been first packaged between the years of 1851 and 1858.
2. Whiskey has some health benefits – a healing drink
Believe it or not, whiskey has some health benefits, and it is even said that drinking a moderate amount of it can help to prevent cancer and reduce chances of stroke and heart disease.
It’s also been proven that drinking between one to six glasses of whiskey over a week can help to reduce the risk of dementia.
1. No one knows who first invented whiskey – mysterious origins
In first place in our list of ten facts about whiskey you never knew is the fact that, for a drink so popular, the original inventor of whiskey is still an unknown mystery.
It is believed that monks originally crafted whiskey until King Henry VIII decided to dissolve all of their monasteries.
That concludes our list of ten fascinating facts about whiskey you never knew. Do you know any more interesting facts about the popular liquor that you think should have been on this list? Learn more by checking out this article on the 5 most expensive Irish whiskies.
If you are a fan of Irish whiskey, then you might enjoy this article on the top 10 whiskey distillery tours in Ireland.
