The licensed distillers, therefore, used more raw grain in an effort to reduce their tax bill. This was due to the method of taxation: malt was subject to tax (at a rate that climbed substantially between the 1790s and 1822). The heavy taxation during the Napoleonic Wars gave the illicit trade a big advantage, but their product was also considered better quality, commanding a higher price in the Lowlands. The Lowland distillers, who had no opportunity to avoid taxation, complained that un-taxed Highland whisky made up more than half the market. In 1782, more than 1,000 illegal stills were seized in the Highlands: these can only have been a fraction of those in operation. Between the 1760s and the 1830s a substantial unlicensed trade originated from the Highlands, forming a significant part of the region's export economy. Spirit production was first taxed by the Scottish parliament of January 1644, with an excise duty of 2s 8d imposed, per Scots pint instigating the illicit distilling of spirits within the country. As a drink, Scotch whisky was a favourite of King James IV of Scotland. Īqua vitae (in the form of wine or spirits) was used when making gunpowder to moisten the slurry of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur. Among his goods was recorded (in Middle Scots) " ane stellatour for aquavite and ros wattir". The first known reference to a still for making "aquavite" in Scotland appears in the Aberdeen council registers, in a case heard in 1505 by the town's bailies concerning the inheritance of goods belonging to a chaplain called Sir Andrew Gray, who died in 1504. This would be enough for 1,500 bottles, which suggests that distillation was well-established by the late 15th century. The term aqua vitae is Latin for "water of life" and was the general term for distilled spirits. The Exchequer Rolls' record crown income and expenditure and the quote records eight bolls of malt given to Friar John Cor to make aqua vitae over the previous year. Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, 1 June 1494. To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae, VIII bolls of malt. The earliest record of distillation in Scotland is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland for 1494. History Greybeard Heather Dew Scotch whisky jug Īs explained in its history, the word whisky derives its etymology from the Gaelic uisge beatha or usquebaugh, which means "water of life" (a calque via Medieval Latin aqua vitae compare aquavit). Many Scotch whisky drinkers refer to a unit for drinking as a dram. The first known written mention of Scotch whisky is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland of 1494. Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: single malt Scotch whisky, single grain Scotch whisky, blended malt Scotch whisky (formerly called "vatted malt" or "pure malt"), blended grain Scotch whisky, and blended Scotch whisky. The minimum bottling strength according to existing regulations is 40% alcohol by volume. A whisky without an age statement is known as a no age statement (NAS) whisky, the only guarantee being that all whisky contained in that bottle is at least three years old. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed-age whisky. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to create that product. Īll Scotch whisky must be aged immediately after distillation in oak barrels for at least three years. Īs of 2022, there were 141 whisky distilleries operating in Scotland, making Scotch whisky one of the most renowned geographical indications worldwide. Commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century. Scotch whisky ( Scottish Gaelic: uisge-beatha na h-Alba Scots: Scots whisky/whiskie, whusk(e)y, pronounced, often simply called whisky or Scotch) is malt whisky or grain whisky (or a blend of the two), made in Scotland.Īll Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley. Single malt, Single grain, Blended malt, Blended grain, Blended Malt or grain whisky distilled in Scotland
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