Can I offer you some "Water of Life", with some special ice?

My favorite alcoholic spirit is Scotch Whisky, and I'm not talking the casual blend, commercially found and copiously consumed without regard to the "Water of Life's" fine history, and myriad of tastes depending of the region of Scotland that they come from. Actually, "Scotch Whisky" is a protected term.

Historically, whisky comes from the Gaelic work "usquebaugh" which means "water of life", later shortened to "usky", and much later "whisky" in English. The production of whisky goes way back, in recorded exchequer rolls of the late 1490's, but reached a peak of untaxed production in the 18th Century. Clandestine stills were cleverly organized, and many varieties were distilled. Smuggling and avoiding the excisemen became a way of life for many in the Highlands.

(As an aside, the famed Scottish bard, Robert Burns, spent part of his life as an exciseman in the late 1700's.)

Unfortunately, by 1823, an Excise Act was passed and licensing fees were imposed, however, on the good side of the coin, this change lead to the foundation of the Scotch industry we know it today. There's always an upside, a looking at the glass half full, so to speak!

In the late 1700's, improved methods for farming barley led to the greater possibility of commerical production.

My personal favorites are single malts, and include:

The Balvenie Doublewood 12 year old - See their site, great information. http://www.thebalvenie.com/ Speyside, Scotland
The McCallum 12 Years - http://www.themacallan.com/home.aspx Speyside, Scotland
Caol Ila - from the Islay area
Glenmorangie - http://glenmorangie.com/ Rothshire area

All these distilleries have their founding after 1800, but the tradition and respect of the distillation keeps the historic perspective. Some are sweet, some are peaty, some smoky, some mellow and warm, but they all have their place when sipped alone, or paired with particular foods. This is not the whisky to "guzzle", but to savor. You can drink it neat (without ice), or with a bit of ice (a cube or two). I offer my own "special" ice of pure water, when serving to my guests.

And by the way, "WHISKY" comes from Scotland; "WHISKEY" is Irish or American. And, speaking of Americans, George Washington was producing his own whiskey at Mount Vernon in 1797. He established one of the largest distilleries in the country, with five copper stills, a storage cellar and an office. By 1799, when he died, the distillery produced more than 10,500 of rye whiskey and brandy, valued at $7,600, a very large sum at the time!

So, as the holidays approach, spread some cheer with some "water of life"! Slainte!