As with most spirits and liqueurs, the origins of whisky are shrouded in mystery but it is safe to assume that the spirit started life as a medicinal cure produced by monks. The word whisky comes from the Gaelic ‘uisge beatha’ which means water of life. 

Contrary to popular belief, whisky was first produced in Ireland around the 5th century AD after missionaries from the Middle East introduced the art of distillation to the Irish monks. The monks then travelled over the sea and settled in western Scotland. From Scotland the production of whisky spread all over the world. The main centres of production for whisky are; Scotland, Ireland, the U.S.A, Canada and more recently Japan.  Each country has its own unique style of whisky.

Whisky is essentially the same as vodka and gin, all are distilled from grain but whisky takes much of its character from the long periods of ageing in oak casks.