“Whisky is liquid sunshine.” – George Bernard Shaw

by Alexander Quebec

Whiskey has had a very colorful history, from the highlands of Scotland, all the way to the South of the United States and beyond. It’s been the source of many other inventions and even a war was fought over it. World Whiskey Day is May 21st, and to celebrate, here are five facts on whiskey you may not know.

1. Whiskey gave us Mountain Dew

   

   Now known as a source of fuel for video gamers, Mountain Dew was created by Moses and Ally Hartman back in the 1930’s, who were having trouble developing a soda that would mix well with whiskey. However, it would be 30 years later, in 1961, when the soda brand would go public.

2. Whiskey also gives us Tabasco Sauce

   

   Part of the aging process for McIlhenny’s famous Tabasco sauce includes aging the sauce in barrels previously used by Jack Daniel’s Distillery to make whisky. The top layer of wood is usually removed to prevent a boozed up version of the sauce…not that there aren’t some who wouldn’t mind.

3. The Whiskey Rebellion was about…well, Whiskey

   

   The year is 1791, the United States has just imposed a tax on Whiskey, and people.are.pissed. A militia was formed by civilians in Eastern Pennsylvania to oppose this new tax, but President George Washington orders military action against the rebels, which is quelled by 1794, losing only 12 men to illness and disease, speaking of which…

4. Medicinal Whiskey was a thing

   

   Whiskey has had some alleged medicinal uses, from helping babies who are teething to just about anything involving pain and arthritis. But during the prohibition era in the United States, it was the only liquor you could get legally, as long as you had a prescription from your doctor.

5. Bourbon Whiskey is (possibly) the official spirit of America

   

   in 1964, the United States Congress declared Bourbon “A distinctive product of the United States” which some believe implies it’s status of the official spirit of America. Bourbon is a variety of whiskey, mainly made with corn. There is dispute as to whether the name came from Bourbon county in Kentucky or Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

6. You could make whiskey from the urine of a diabetic.

   

   A man in England actually made Whiskey from the urine of elderly diabetics with type two diabetes. The process involves taking their urine, extracting the sugars out and placing those sugars into whiskey barrels, which would accelerate the aging process. The whiskey bottles are not for sale, but rather given out as public health awareness tokens…Uh..We’ll stick to getting it from the store.

Is there anything else we missed in this article? Let us know in the comments below.