The origin of whisky.

[mariabei]

The origin of whisky.

I've been living in Italy for a good many years now (born in Edinburgh), and I've noticed that 90% of the information on line concerning whisky says that the Irish invented it. Now I know or at least I hope that us Scots invented whisky and I'm sick fed up of people repeating what they've read on internet. Can someone Please help me??

[Duthill]

Was it invented , or is it a naturally occurring process ?

[mariabei]

Well that's what the Whisky Magazine says... Link : Blending History : Whisky Magazine
Liquid education
Charles Cowdery discovers what the Scots taught the world.

The Scots and Irish like to argue about who invented whisky. Chances are it was neither and some other beermaking culture was first to the mark, but those earlier guys didn’t keep making whisky and ...

By Charles K. Cowdery from Issue 75 published on 31/10/2008

[Duthill]

I hazard a guess that whisky , being a spirit , finds it's genesis in distilling , rather than in basic brewing.

This may be more near the starting of it's life ...

"Early types of distillation were known to the Babylonians in Mesopotamia (in what is now Iraq) from at least the 2nd millennium BC.[1] Archaeological excavations in northwest Pakistan have yielded evidence that the distillation of alcohol was known in the Indian subcontinent since 500 BC,[2] but only became common between 150 BC - 350 AD.[2] Distillation was later known to Greek alchemists from the 1st century AD,[3][4][5] and the later development of large-scale distillation apparatus occurred in response to demands for spirits.[3] According to K. B. Hoffmann the earliest mention of "destillatio per descensum" occurs in the writings of Aetius, a Greek physician from the 5th century.[6] Hypatia of Alexandria is credited with having invented an early distillation apparatus,[7] and the first clear description of early apparatus for distillation is given by Zosimos of Panopolis in the fourth century.[5] Primitive tribes of India used a method of distillation for producing Mahuda liquor. This crude and ancient method is not very effective.[8]

The invention of highly effective "pure distillation" is credited to Arabic and Persian chemists in the Middle East from the 8th century. They produced distillation processes to isolate and purify chemical substances for industrial purposes such as isolating natural esters (perfumes) and producing pure alcohol.[9] The first among them was Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber), in the 8th century, who is credited with the invention of numerous chemical apparatus and processes that are still in use today. In particular, his alembic was the first still with retorts which could fully purify chemicals, a precursor to the pot still, and its design has served as inspiration for modern micro-scale distillation apparatus such as the Hickman stillhead.[10] The isolation of ethanol (alcohol) as a pure compound through distillation was first achieved by the Arab chemist Al-Kindi (Alkindus).[11] Petroleum was first distilled by the Persian alchemist Muhammad ibn Zakarīya Rāzi (Rhazes) in the 9th century, for producing kerosene,[12] while steam distillation was invented by Avicenna in the early 11th century, for producing essential oils.[13]


etc ,etc ."

Distillation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ConorC]

Firstly, have you considered that what you read online might be correct? I have actually studied whisk(e)y its production, history and consumption.

To begin, the origins of whisky is rather hazy. However, it is believed that its origin should be credited to monks living in Ireland during the middle-ages. The knowledge of distillation is thought to have spread from the middle-east, through monastic communities, into Ireland and eventually to Irish monastic settlements in Scotland. You must remember that the term ‘Scot(i)’ was originally used to describe the inhabitants of Ireland.

While there is no definite proof this is the theory. Whisky consumption was rampant in both Gaelic Ireland and Scotland. The first distillery to be given a Royal charter was located near Bushmills. In fact, while the number of official distillers was always greater in Scotland than Ireland it was with Ireland that the drink was largely associated until the early start of the 20th century. The reasons for this are numeruous and explained elsewhere.

However, it is suffice to say that during the 19th century the most sought after whisky around the globe was that produced by the four big Dublin distillers (including Jameson).
The success of Irish whisky led many Scottish companies to label their (inferior) produce as ‘Irish’ and pass it off as such.

This led the Dublin distillers to create new laws, the most important one being the fact that ‘Whisky’ had to be kept barreled for at least 5 years. Also, it was around this time that the Irish producers began to spell whisky with an ‘E’ in the hope of distinguishing the Irish product from what they believed to be ‘inferior’ produce.

However, as alluded to before, Scottish whisky gained the ascendancy in the first half of the 20th century, largely due to the invention of the ‘Coffey’ still named after the Irishman who thought it up and which allowed the mass production of whisky. Also, it is my humble opinion that the fact that the name ‘Scotch’ flows more easily off the tongue than an ‘Irish’ has contributed to its success.

I hope this might have helped you with your query.

[mariabei]

Thank you both very much for answering. Very interesting indeed...

[BARNEYKX]

try Kilbeggan Distlllery