- "Whisky" refers to whiskies from Scotland, Japan, and Canada. "Whiskey" refers to whiskeys made in the US and Ireland.
- Different regions have different standards and laws to regulate whiskey production.
- Because of regional differences, the spelling can give you an idea of how the whiskey will taste.
- Visit Insider's Home & Kitchen Reference library for more stories.
Whiskey is a spirit that every barfly or cocktail enthusiast is familiar with. But even though it's one of the most popular distilled spirits in the world, there are quite a few misconceptions surrounding this delicious amber spirit and its complex history.
One of the most confounding aspects is the difference between its many regional styles. Some countries have strict laws and conventions that dictate how whiskey is produced. And these regional differences even include the spelling of the word: "whiskey" or "whisky."
So why are there two different spellings for the same spirit, and when should you use each one? Samuel Houston, expert bartender and bar manager of the legendary Los Angeles speakeasy The Varnish helps clear things up.
Why are there two different spellings?
Each spelling of the word is correct, but each refers to whiskies from different regions. "It all comes down to where it's made," Houston says. "In the United States and Ireland, it is spelled 'whiskey.' In Scotland and the rest of the world, it's spelled 'whisky.'"
Whiskey production can be traced back to Ireland in the early 15th century, with production in Scotland trailing closely. The initial difference in spelling came from small differences in the Gaelic dialects spoken in both places.
Over time the two distinct spellings became entrenched, and each region simultaneously developed its own unique styles. The major whiskey-producing nations — Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Japan — had to adopt one spelling or the other.
"All of our whiskey traditions in America come from Ireland and Scotland," Houston says. In the early days of the United States, Scottish and Irish immigrants brought their distilling expertise with them and began to distill whiskey almost right away.
Because of the influence of both whiskey-producing traditions, at first, both spellings were used interchangeably in the US. Due to the influx of immigration from Ireland in the 1800s, "whiskey" became the most widely used spelling in the United States and is the primary spelling to this day. The Scottish spelling continued to be used in Canada due to closer ties to the United Kingdom at the time.
Scotland's influence also extends to Japan. Japan's first whisky distillery released its Scotch-inspired whisky in 1929, not long after Masataka Taketsuru returned from an apprenticeship in Scotland and co-founded the Yamazaki Distillery.
Do whisky and whiskey taste different?
Since the correct spelling of the spirit is determined by its country of origin, there are differences in flavor between the two groups. There are also many varieties of the drink within each region, each with its own distinct flavor profile.
Whisky
Scotch whisky: Out of every variety of whisky, Scotch has the most variation. Scotch whisky is distilled primarily from barley. "Scotch tends to be aged longer than other whiskies," Houston says, and aging gives them a deeper, richer flavor. There are five major regions in which Scotch is produced, Campbeltown, the Highlands, the Lowlands, Speyside, and Islay — each with their own style. The most notable are Scotches from Islay, which have flavors of peat smoke.
Japanese whisky: Although Japan hasn't been producing whisky nearly as long as other regions, their whiskies have become some of the most sought-after in the world. "Japanese whiskies tend to have a softer, rounder profile with fewer bold flavors," Houston says. Japanese distillers are heavily inspired by Scotch producers, and many of their whiskies can be compared to single malt Scotch whiskies.
Canadian whisky: Canadian whisky is one of the most widely available and popular styles of whisky. "Canadian whiskies are a sweeter representation. They gravitate more to the Irish style of whiskey making," Houston says. Like American whiskeys, they often use a lot of corn in the mash, leading to a sweeter flavor profile similar to bourbon. In Canada, whisky is often referred to as "rye" or "rye whisky," even if it's distilled mostly from corn.
Whiskey
Irish whiskey: Ireland is widely considered to be the ancestral home of whiskey, and Irish distilleries produce some of the most popular and beloved whiskeys in the world. "In comparison to Scotch, Irish whiskey is sweeter and has more of a malt character," Houston says.
American whiskey: There are two primary types of whiskey produced in the United States, bourbon and rye. Each has a strict set of rules dictating how they are produced, which leads to a distinct difference in flavor.
- Bourbon is required to have a makeup of at least 51% corn in the mash bill, with the rest of the grain being any combination of wheat, rye, and barley. Bourbon is also required to be aged in brand new, charred oak barrels. Because of the high percentage of corn in the mash bill, bourbon is known as a sweeter whiskey, with notes of vanilla and butterscotch.
- Rye is made similarly to bourbon, but 51% of the grain used in the mash must be rye rather than corn. The higher percentage of rye gives it a spicier flavor profile with more bite. "Rye has a bolder, fruitier spicy flavor than bourbon," says Houston. Rye was the most popular type of whiskey in the United States during the golden age of cocktails and is still popular for mixing due to its strong, bold flavors that hold up well in drinks like the Sazerac and the Manhattan.
Insider's takeaway
Whiskey is spelled with an "e" when it's made in Ireland or the United States. If it's made elsewhere, it's spelled "whisky." Each country of origin takes pride in its unique history, traditions, and distilling practices. Because of these differences, you can use the spelling to broadly predict what each bottle will taste like.