{"id":7647,"date":"2022-04-13T11:11:04","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T15:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aesu.com\/?p=7647"},"modified":"2022-04-13T11:11:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T15:11:04","slug":"the-history-of-scotch-distillation-in-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bobeckmedia.com\/aesu\/the-history-of-scotch-distillation-in-scotland\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Scotch Distillation in Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
Scotch distillation is one of Scotland\u2019s most loved contributions to Western culture, and it has had a long history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just as Italy, <\/span>France<\/span><\/a>, and the <\/span>Napa Valley<\/span><\/a> are havens to those who love wine, Scotland is a must-see destination for those who enjoy spirits! Scotch distillation is one of Scotland\u2019s most loved contributions to Western culture, and it has had a long history. Today, it is estimated that 44 bottles of Scotch are exported from Scotland every second! However, the Scotch industry didn\u2019t become so successful overnight \u2013 and there were many obstacles over the years that early distillers had to navigate. Here\u2019s how Scotch whisky came to be one of the most popular spirits in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Origins \u2013 Aqua Vitae<\/span><\/h2>\n

The word \u201cwhisky\u201d is derived from the Scots Gaelic word <\/span>uisge<\/span><\/i> which means water. This points also to the original Latin word for distilled spirits \u2013 <\/span>aqua vitae<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cwater of life\u201d. The earliest record of distillation in Scotland is from a tax record of 1494 CE, where the Exchequer Rolls list an entry for \u201ceight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make <\/span>aqua vitae<\/span><\/i>\u201d. The mention of a priest making an alcoholic drink isn\u2019t too surprising \u2013 monasteries throughout Europe pioneered the production of alcoholic beverages during the Middle Ages. From this point, the Parliament of <\/span>Scotland<\/span><\/a> took an interest in the apparent growth of the popularity of the spirit and introduced taxes on it for the first time in 1644.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Growth of Illegal Production<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once taxes were introduced, the number of illicit stills producing Scotch skyrocketed, pointing to increasing demand for the drink internally. Smuggling became commonplace as Scots found more and more ways to hide their favorite alcoholic beverage from the tax collector. By the 1820s, according to the Scotch Whisky Association, more than half of the whisky consumed in Scotland was illegal, and as many as 14,000 illicit stills were being confiscated every year.<\/span><\/p>\n

The International Growth of Scotch Whisky<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 1831, Aeneas Coffey invented the patent still that allowed for a continuous distillation process. This revolutionized Scotch production \u2013 before, the spirit was a pure Malt whisky, which was very strong and somewhat of an acquired taste. The patent still allowed for the production of grain whisky, and when this lighter whisky was mixed with the old malt whisky, it produced a drink that had much wider appeal. During this time, famed whisky producers such as Johnnie Walker, James Chivas, Tommy Dewar, and more built out the export markets and promoted Scotch throughout the British Empire and the rest of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore the World with AESU!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal\u2014designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group. We\u2019re also offering a Scotland Adventure trip in 2023 called \u201cTreasures of Scotland\u201d, with more information coming soon!<\/span><\/p>\n

Experience an exhilarating adventure in 2022 on the\u00a0<\/span>Cosmopolitan<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Great Escape<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Greek Island Hopper tour,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and more! 2022 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on\u00a0<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>Pinterest<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just as Italy, France, and the Napa Valley are havens to those who love wine, Scotland is a must-see destination for those who enjoy spirits! Scotch distillation is one of Scotland\u2019s most loved contributions to Western culture, and it has had a long history. Today, it is estimated that 44 bottles of Scotch are exported […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[669],"tags":[708,140,709],"class_list":["post-7647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-scotland","tag-scotch","tag-scotland","tag-whiskey"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe History of Scotch Distillation in Scotland - AESU Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Scotch distillation is one of Scotland\u2019s most loved contributions to Western culture, and it has had a long history. 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