Whisky or Whiskey?
Distinguishing between Scottish and Irish Whisk(e)y
Understanding Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky and what distinguishes them from each other is not as simple as you might think. Mostly because there’s a lot of misinformation, opinions, bias, myths, and oversimplifications on whisky sites, tours, social media, and generally anywhere whisky is spoken about.
So here is a fun way of looking at the differences. I am going to have a conversation with two semi-fictional guys called James and Paul. (Yes, you know who you are). Here we go:
James: So, what is the difference between Irish and Scotch whisky?
The first difference is pretty simple. Whisky labelled as Scotch whisky must be produced in Scotland and spend a minimum of three years maturing there, while whiskey labelled as Irish whiskey must be produced in Ireland and spend a minimum of three years maturing there.
Paul: Well, obviously!!! I know the 3 year rule and I knew they were two different countries. What else?
Both have a legislative framework determining how each is made: The Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009 and the Irish Whiskey Technical File 2014.
The first thing to look at is the way whisky is categorised in each country.
- Scotch whisky has Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Malt, Blended Grain, and Blended Scotch Whisky.
- Irish whiskey has Single Malt, Single Pot Still, Single Grain, and Blended Irish Whiskey.
Paul: Most categories are the same, but what is Single Pot Still whisky?
Aha! There is a real difference between whiskey and whisky, A single pot still whisky is where the “beer” which has been fermented can be from a combination of malted barley and malted grain. And then the combined beer is distilled. This is unique to Ireland. In Scotland, whisky is distilled using one or the other (malted barley or malted grain). Blending happens later in the process after maturation. If a combination is distilled, then you have a single pot still whiskey.
The term "single pot still" was only introduced in recent years to replace the name “pure pot still” and overcome the United States Tax and Trade Bureau's objections to the use of the term "pure" in the labelling of food and drink.
James: Any other differences?
Yes, a couple more things worth mentioning.
An interesting nuance between the two is that Irish distillers can mature whiskey in wood types other than oak. For Scotch whisky, every barrel the spirit goes into must be made of oak. But the Irish Whiskey Technical File 2014 only calls for the use of woods "such as oak". So other woods are used in Ireland for the casks. Woods such as acacia, chestnut, wild cherry, cedar, mulberry, juniper, and amurana. Although oak remains the most common wood used.
Secondly, Scotland is divided into legally defined regions which have regional styles and tastes.Ireland does not.
James: “But what about the spelling? That extra “e”?
Generally speaking, Scotch whisky is always spelt without the “e” and Irish whiskey is spelt with an “e”. But while a bottle labelled Scotch whisky must be spelt without the “e”, there’s no such restriction for anything Irish. I think it may be there just to make it different and produce a talking point whilst drinking .
Waterford was an example of an Irish brand that spells it “whisky”. But that is probably because Marc Reynier who founded Waterford previously ran Bruichladdich in Scotland. And wanted to make “Scottish style whisky in Ireland”. The fact that Waterford filed for bankruptcy last year may tell you that the experiment was not successful!
Paul: “Scotch whisky is peated though, right?”
No!!!! Pure myth! You can make Scotch whisky using peat. It’s lovely. But you don’t have to. You could make Irish whiskey with peat, like Connemara. But again, you do not have to. Most of the original Irish and Scottish whiskies would in the past have used peat as a fuel source to dry grain too. Although it is not common nowadays in Ireland. Peat doesn’t distinguish Scotch from Irish in any way.
James: “Ah, but Irish whiskey is distilled differently and that makes it smoother, correct?”
Not always. A lot of Irish whiskey produced is triple distilled, while most Scotch whisky is usually distilled twice. But there are exceptions. Like Auchentoshan. Scottish, but triple distilled.
Suffice it to say, a lot of Irish whiskey has a smooth, light, and sometimes fruity profile but there’s no requirement for all Irish whiskey to taste like that and plenty don’t. There are lots of Scotch whiskies that also could be described that way.
Paul: “Is Scotch whisky better than Irish whiskey?”.
That’s a matter of preference and you could spend a lot of time making the comparisons! Scotch whisky is certainly bigger than Irish whiskey. In 2023, Scotch Whisky exports were worth £5.6bn, while Irish whiskey exports surpassed €1 billion for the first time in 2022.
In May 2024, 151 operating Scotch Whisky distilleries across Scotland, around 100 more than there are in Ireland.
Recently, Irish whiskey has staged a comeback after some difficult periods, however, and is only set to get bigger. But bigger doesn’t = better. Scotch can boast more varieties, presence, and reach right now. But what whisky you like the taste of most is down to you alone.
James: “I guess it’s not Irish whiskey vs Scotch whisky, but Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky?”.
Yes, yes it is, James. Ireland and Scotland have a lot in common and together they are the heartlands of whisky, where it all began.
Whisky developed from uisge beatha (in Scottish Gaelic) or uisce beatha (in Irish Gaelic), spirits made from grain flavoured with local botanicals. They both evolved into the spirit we recognise today. Made by distilling fermented grains which are then aged for a minimum of three years.
Both Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky have heaps of history, culture, and stories. Most importantly, they’re both delicious. Oh, and both say Slàinte! So let’s drink to each of them (not necessarily at the same time, and certainly not in the same glass) and say it together: Slàinte!