The word whiskey is an Anglicisation of the ancient Gaelic term “uisce beatha” which translates as “water of life”. Although similar to scotch in many ways, the main difference is that Irish whiskey is distilled three times, whereas Scotch is distilled only twice.

Another very important contribution to the difference in flavors of Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey is that in Scotland, the malt is dried over peat fires and comes in contact with the smoke. In Ireland, the malt usually doesn’t come in contact with the smoke. Scotch, therefore, often tastes “peaty” but Irish whiskey almost always doesn’t.