I’ve always been a stickler for spelling and grammar. I worked as a copy editor for my college newspaper for two years and English has always been one of my best subjects. To all those spelling and grammar freaks who correct people on their “me and my friend” and their “my friend and I”’s, and who cringe after accidentally adding too many O’s to a “to” in a text—this post is for you!
One of the first things I noticed when I started educating myself about whisky is the difference in spellings – whisky versus whiskey.
First of all, what is it? Whisk(e)y is (according to Dictionary.com) “the general term covering bourbon, rye, Scotch and other liquors distilled from a mash of grain.” Even though the spellings have the same definition, there is one major distinguishing factor setting them apart.
- If it is made in Scotland, Wales, Canada or Japan it is spelled “whisky” (plural “whiskies”).
- If it is made in Ireland or America it is spelled “whiskey” (plural “whiskeys”).
Despite the general rule of thumb for whisky spellings, in 1968, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ruled the official spelling in America to be “whisky.” Some distilleries wanted to stick to their traditions though and kept spelling their name with the E. That’s why when you look at the labels of American-made whiskies some have the E and some go E-less. The decision of ATF doesn’t hold as strong as tradition apparently.
Mount Royal Light is a Canadian whisky. It is originally a Seagram Company Ltd. product. Seagram’s was a company from Montreal, Quebec, Canada which (we assume) is why Mount Royal Light was named as “whisky” instead of “whiskey”.
And now for a little grammar lesson! Can you score 100%? Edit these sentences and write your answers in the comments! (Hint: 3 errors in #1, 2 errors in #2, 2 errors in #3)
- Because their is 1/3-less alcohol in Mount Royal Light, bartenders will not loose there head as easily.
- Remember when you’re friend drank that “other whisky” instead of Mount Royal Light and had to lay down?
- I prefer to drink Mount Royal Light whisky rather then that beer I could of bought.
*Thank you to www.whiskydistilled.com for information contributing to this post.
To E or Not to E?
Mount Royal Light Blog 