Jul. 05, 2011 - Issue #820: Bestest of Edmonton
Provenance
Six facts about Scotch
2) Scotch has been distilled in Scotland for centuries, possibly dating back to the ancient Celts. The Gaelic word usquebaugh, or "water of life," became "usky" and later "whisky" in English.
3) It wasn't until the mid-18th century that someone discovered that Scotch tastes better if given a chance to age and mellow. Scotch from before this period was a harsh, brutal drink and could even put the imbiber in danger. It's thought that the technique of aging Scotch came about by accident—someone had the guts to drink from a barrel they'd forgotten about.
4) Scotch that hasn't been aged is as clear as vodka. The spirit gets its colour from the oak barrels it's aged in for a minimum of three years. As it gets hot in the summer, the liquid expands and seeps into the wood. As it gets cold in the winter it contracts from the wood, bringing with it colour and flavour.
5) Unlike wine, Scotch does not continue to age in the bottle—it'll taste the same no matter when you drink it.
6) The most expensive bottle of Scotch ever was sold at a Sotheby's charity auction in 2010 for $460 000—a 64-year-old bottle of Macallan Scotch in a specially designed crystal decanter. All of the money went to charity: water, a non-profit organization providing clean drinking water to people in developing countries. V
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