The water of life
Whiskey, rum, cognac, brandy, brandy and hundreds of other alcoholic beverages have been spilled around the world for centuries, but only one of them comes with the name "Water of Life".
Uisge beatha translated from Celtic - "Water of Life" is the original pronunciation of whiskey, which later changed to Ishki, Whiskey and Whiskey.
Various sources claim that the first whiskey distillations were in the period between the 11th and 12th centuries, which unfortunately for the Scots took place in Ireland.
Monks, soldiers and barbers are the main producers and consumers of alcoholic liquid, which is quite far from the current amber magic. White, unripe in barrels and close in taste and aroma to vodka, the alcoholic liquid risky for health was sold by monks, the army ruled bravely and disinfected the clients of barbers and doctors.
The alcoholic liquid was distilled from cereals - barley, wheat, rye, corn or even potatoes, sugar beets or other root crops.
The first official sources of regulated trade date back to the 16th century, when many monks were disbanded and forced to seek new holy places in Ireland and Scotland, which helped spread knowledge about whiskey production.
At the end of the 17th century, the popularity was so great that the Scottish government began to tax production, forcing many distilleries to close or go underground. About 8 were officially working, and over 400 were illegal!
In 1823, the Scottish government passed a law: an excise act that legalized whiskey production and helped reduce illegal distilleries.
In the 19th century the "Water of Life" became more and more popular and sought after, the quality and taste varieties developed more and more, but the demand was mainly on the Island. Europe was still captivated by the taste of wine. But a tiny aphid called Phylloxera turned the whisky distribution map upside down. The leaf pest attacked and destroyed vineyards in France and much of Europe. Cognac and brandy were the drinks of Europeans until the 1880s, but after their production declined, Irish and Scotch whiskey knocked on European doors and they opened very wide.
Whiskey is currently produced in Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Norway, South Africa, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Spain, India and more, more non-standard destinations.
A small but carefully selected part of the big whiskey world is offered in ours online store for wine and alcohol or try the location at Caldo whiskey bar.
