1899 The Mixicologist by C F Lawlor

THE MIXICOLOGIST.

99

WHISKEY. Whisky or whiskey,a spirit distilled for drinking, which originated,at least so far as regards the name, with the Celtic inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland, and its manufacture and use still continues to be closely associated with those two countries. Distilled spirit first became popularly known as aqua vitse, and it was originally used only as a powerful medicinal agent. It was not till about the middle of the 17th century that it came into use in Scotland as an intoxicating beverage. It is only the finer qualities of matured malt and grain whiskey that can be used as simple or unblended spirit. In the United States whiskey is distilled chiefly from corn and rye, wheat and barley malt being used, though only to a limited extent. Whiskey is greatly improved by age; it is not mellow, nor its flavor agreeable until it is several years old. Whiskey peems to be the most favored drink in America for purposes of stimulation, and in uncertain moments when one is undecided as to what to take it is gen erally regarded by steady drinkers as the purestand most reliable drink. They appear to know good whiskey by the taste of it.