history 200
History 200
Spring 2014
Scotch on the Rocks
Many cultures have a food or beverage synonymous with their identities. For example, sushi is equated with the Japanese, pasta with the Italians and the French with exquisite wines, so too, the Scottish are known for their scotch whiskey.
Scotch, or Scotch whisky, is a malt whiskey or grain whiskey made in Scotland, under strict laws and specifications, and bares a long and colorful history in relation to the region and it’s consumption.
Scottish Whiskey is a large and colorful part of Gaelic culture. The alcohol had a host of invaluable applications from the ability to keep out the cold, sooth a traveler on a long journey, tempered fever, acted as an anesthetic, and disinfected cuts. It was served at social gatherings and at the end of a business discussion to signify a deal had been reached. In the Highlands, the people drank scotch similar to the way Americans have coffee breaks today, and often drank scotch three times each day as an immune system boost. It was known that distillery workers were given three shots (or drams) daily throughout their shift and were considered a great perk of the job.
There are early records of distillation of alcohol dating back to the 13th century in Italy, where the alcohol was distilled from wine. Before that, there was no record of alcohol distillation, although it is accepted that the process of distillation itself for miscellaneous purposes was used as early as the 9th century in Greece, and by the mid-evil Arabs. It wasn’t until the 15th century that the art of distilling alcohol had reached Scotland where it was primarily used for medicinal purposes, or aqua vitae. The earliest reference to the distillation of alcohol is Scotland comes from the Scotties Exchequer Rolls of 1494, the royal records, where malt is sent to “the Friar John Cor, by order of the king, to make Aqua Vitae.”
Scotch became more mainstream when James IV came to power. He was the ruler of
Spring 2014
Scotch on the Rocks
Many cultures have a food or beverage synonymous with their identities. For example, sushi is equated with the Japanese, pasta with the Italians and the French with exquisite wines, so too, the Scottish are known for their scotch whiskey.
Scotch, or Scotch whisky, is a malt whiskey or grain whiskey made in Scotland, under strict laws and specifications, and bares a long and colorful history in relation to the region and it’s consumption.
Scottish Whiskey is a large and colorful part of Gaelic culture. The alcohol had a host of invaluable applications from the ability to keep out the cold, sooth a traveler on a long journey, tempered fever, acted as an anesthetic, and disinfected cuts. It was served at social gatherings and at the end of a business discussion to signify a deal had been reached. In the Highlands, the people drank scotch similar to the way Americans have coffee breaks today, and often drank scotch three times each day as an immune system boost. It was known that distillery workers were given three shots (or drams) daily throughout their shift and were considered a great perk of the job.
There are early records of distillation of alcohol dating back to the 13th century in Italy, where the alcohol was distilled from wine. Before that, there was no record of alcohol distillation, although it is accepted that the process of distillation itself for miscellaneous purposes was used as early as the 9th century in Greece, and by the mid-evil Arabs. It wasn’t until the 15th century that the art of distilling alcohol had reached Scotland where it was primarily used for medicinal purposes, or aqua vitae. The earliest reference to the distillation of alcohol is Scotland comes from the Scotties Exchequer Rolls of 1494, the royal records, where malt is sent to “the Friar John Cor, by order of the king, to make Aqua Vitae.”
Scotch became more mainstream when James IV came to power. He was the ruler of
Bibliography: Lacamoire, Sarah. "From the Distillery, a Secret Ingredient." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Dec. 2004. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. MacLean, Charles. Scotch Whisky: Liquid History. London: Cassell Illustrated, 2005. Print. Smith, Gavin D. "Issue 31 - Keepers of the Faith (Scotch Whisky Association)." Keepers of the Faith (Scotch Whisky Association) : Whisky Magazine Issue 31. Unknown. "Scotch Whisky Association." - History of Scotch Whisky. Scotch-Whisky Organization UK, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. Unknown. "The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009." The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. Government of the United Kingdom, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.