Share:

Whether you purchase liquor from a national or local distillery, some of these facilities have been in operation for centuries. Whiskey is one classic liquor that distillers craft and age carefully to create deep, smoky flavors. If you are new to the world of exploring this drink, you may have noticed that some brands spell whiskey with an "e" and others spell it without an "e". Here's a brief guide about why the spellings are different.

Whisky vs. Whiskey

In Ireland and the United States, most distilleries use whiskey as the preferred spelling. In Scotland, Canada, and Japan, the spirit is spelled without the “e.” There's no difference in how you pronounce the words, but it does offer some important insights into the evolution and history of whisk(e)y. 

distillery

The Fight Between Scottish & Irish Distilleries

In 1860, the Gladstone government passed the Spirits Act. The act allowed whisky blenders, for the first time, to create blends consisting of grain whisky and single malts. At the time, Ireland was the center of the world’s whisky production.

Blending grain whisky and single malts allowed Scotch whisky blenders to create a style of whisky that was similar to Irish whiskeys but cheaper to produce. The Scots also proved that they could out market and design better packaging to slowly take away some of the Irish whiskey global market share. 

The four big Irish whiskey distillers banded together in 1879 to produce a book denouncing the use of grain whiskey in blends; arguing that such blends "cannot be whisky and therefore ought not to be sold under the same name." In 1908, the issue was settled by the Royal Commission on Whisky and other Potable Spirits when they issued a report concluding that blended whisky could be called whisky.  Over the course of the late 19th century, many Irish distilleries began spelling whiskey with an "e" in order to differentiate themselves from their Scottish counterparts.

The American spelling of whiskey went through a similar evolution. During the 19th century, American distilleries spelled whisky without an "e". In the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, Irish whiskey was second only to Canadian whisky as the best-selling whiskey in the US. Since Irish whiskey was more popular and considered my many to be of higher quality than Scotch whiskey, American distillers wanted to align themselves with Irish whiskey and adopted the Irish spelling. And the spelling of whiskey with an "e" stuck!

Whether it's rye whiskey, wheat whiskey or bourbon whiskey, the Thomas family invites you to raise a glass and celebrate family and friendship with some of the finest whiskey Northeast Ohio has to offer.

 

If you're in the Cleveland area and would like to sample some of the best whiskeys around, visit Western Reserve Distillers. This family-owned and -operated craft distillery has a pleasant atmosphere and a full line of distilled spirits that can be purchased in their on-premise gift shop. Along with being an organic distillery their location also includes a full service restaurant with delicious appetizers, entrees and one-of-a-kind cocktails. To learn more about their products, call (216) 333-9291 or visit them online today.

tracking