# They're a number of noted Irish and Scottish whiskies-Why no famous English whiskies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884 "2003-11-23T20:56:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/1 "2003-11-23T20:56:17Z")
Why aren’t there a number of famous English whiskies? Why can’t England make a superlative whiskey? Bad water? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/2 "2003-11-23T21:08:18Z")
No they were all drinking sherry and gin. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/3 "2003-11-23T21:20:41Z")
Because England have never bothered making it. As Grey said. My favourite Scotch Whisky is Highland Park - you should try it it’s nice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/4 "2003-11-23T22:08:28Z")
England’s drink in the Middle Ages was ale; a dark, powerful brew of malt, yeast and water. The introduction of hops into the process, an innovation imported from Europe in the 14th c. produced a new brew called ‘beer’. Beer kept better than ale and eventually people preferred the taste of it. Brewing rather than distilling became the English preference. Gin was a 17th c. import from Holland but whisky distilling in Scotland seems to have begun in the 15th c. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/5 "2003-11-23T22:15:31Z")
I’ve often wondered this myself. I’ve seen niche whiskies from Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere, and have thought thete would be at the very least one small English distillery catering to a loyal crowd. But I have never seen nor heard of even a single bottle of English whisky in existence. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/6 "2003-11-23T22:25:41Z")
Could the Irish and Scottish distilleries be owned by English business interests? That could account for their not wanting to compete with themselves, in a sense. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/7 "2003-11-24T00:16:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mk VII \* > \*\*England’s drink in the Middle Ages was ale; a dark, powerful brew of malt, yeast and water. The introduction of hops into the process, an innovation imported from Europe in the 14th c. produced a new brew called ‘beer’. Beer kept better than ale and eventually people preferred the taste of it. Brewing rather than distilling became the English preference. Gin was a 17th c. import from Holland but whisky distilling in Scotland seems to have begun in the 15th c. \*\* Well, speaking of ales as a preferred drink it may very well be true, however water, barley and yeast are the same ingredients used in whiskey production. Oh, and I’ll second the Highland Park and toss out a Glen Farclas. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/8 "2003-11-24T01:41:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Krokodil \* > \*\*Could the Irish and Scottish distilleries be owned by English business interests? That could account for their not wanting to compete with themselves, in a sense. \*\* Some of the Irish and Scots distillers are owned by the French. I don’t know of any (although there could be) owned by the English. ---
**Author:** ![Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satisfying_Andy_Licious)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/9 "2003-11-24T06:37:17Z")
According to [this site,](http://www.whisky.cc/whisky.htm) commercial production of Scotch whisky is only about 300 years old: > [@](#): > > The commercial production of Scotch whisky began more than 300 years ago when an Argyllshire farmer produced the drink in a simple device using a similar method to that of the monks who were distilling centuries earlier. Also, because of trade laws, a drink can be called “Scotch whisky” only if it is made in Scotland. So the English could make it, but they couldn’t call it Scotch whisky. > [@](#): > > CAN SCOTCH WHISKY [ONLY BE MADE IN SCOTLAND?](http://qsinternational.com/whatiswhisky/) > Yes. Many other products which were originally manufactured only in a particular location have lost their geographical significance and can now be manufactured anywhere. The word “Scotch”, however, has retained its geographical significance. This is widely recognize in law throughout the world. Thus, whisky may be described as Scotch whisky only if it has been wholly distilled and matured in Scotland. I believe the same international laws apply to champagne, bordeaux, certain cheeses, etc. – to have a certain name, they must be made in a certain place, and no one outside that region can use the name on a product. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/10 "2003-11-24T08:40:37Z")
Sure, but _Whisky_ can be made anywhere, you just can’t call it Scotch. To the OP; pretty much what everyone else has said; England was drinking beer instead, then making Gin or drinking brandy imported/smuggled in from France. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/11 "2003-11-24T09:04:19Z")
The real answer: Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey was so incredibly perfect, the English realized that they could not improve on perfection. As a result, they set upon creating a unique flavor that would not even attempt to compete with Bushmill’s. That effort has resulted in gin, which is one of the most heinous beverages on the face of the Earth. Now you know. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/12 "2003-11-24T09:44:55Z")
Hmmm, to eash their own I guess. Why England never produced whiskey to the same extent as Ireland and Scotland can be likened to why Wales never produced it to the same extend as it’s celtic neighbours surely? I guess almost every nation produced their own spirits, be it vodka, whiskey or gin and the English realised maybe that the Scots were much better at it than they were (or the water was better?) so didn’t bother to compete. It’s true that a lot of the Irish/Scot distilleries are owned by English interests but doesn’t explain the historical reason why the english haven’t preduced their own whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![notquitekarpov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@notquitekarpov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notquitekarpov)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/13 "2003-11-24T09:52:35Z")
Could it be because England has no peat to speak of which seems so essential to the taste and softness of the water used? No data to go on but it strikes me as one thing Scotland and Ireland have in common… There has to be a reason the Japanese tried exporting Scottish _water_ in supertankers half way around the world for their own whiskey industry. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/14 "2003-11-24T14:02:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ponster \* > \*\*Hmmm, to eash their own I guess. Why England never produced whiskey to the same extent as Ireland and Scotland can be likened to why Wales never produced it to the same extend as it’s celtic neighbours surely? I guess almost every nation produced their own spirits, be it vodka, whiskey or gin and the English realised maybe that the Scots were much better at it than they were (or the water was better?) so didn’t bother to compete. > \*\* Okay, now you’ve got me curious. What alcoholic beverages are produced in Wales? Is there a famous Welsh beer or liquor that I’ve missed out on all these years? ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/15 "2003-11-24T14:17:14Z")
Well according to this web site they do produce whiskey in Wales and it looks as though it is not just a new product because it mentions that this is the first production of whiskey in that country " for over a hundred years " [http://www.waleschamber.org/aelodau/aelodau/morgan\_brian.html](http://www.waleschamber.org/aelodau/aelodau/morgan_brian.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/16 "2003-11-24T14:35:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ponster \* > \*\*Hmmm, to eash their own I guess. > \*\* Bottoms up **Ponster** … hic. 😉 Julie ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/17 "2003-11-24T14:38:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by notquitekarpov \* > \*\*Could it be because England has no peat to speak of which seems so essential to the taste and softness of the water used? No data to go on but it strikes me as one thing Scotland and Ireland have in common… > > There has to be a reason the Japanese tried exporting Scottish _water_ in supertankers half way around the world for their own whiskey industry. \*\* I suppose it was easier to just buy the distillery near Ben Nevis and ship it instead of water. 🙂 Peat, however, is not essential to making whiskey. It is essential to giving the barley a coat of peatiness when malting it. And on a more prosaic note, most distillers in Scotland likely use municipal water supplies. Perhaps some small amount of peat would be present but that hardly seems a deal breaker. ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/18 "2003-11-24T15:16:55Z")
Ahhh, **Shrinking Violet** , you fancy a glass with me? 🙂 **ShibbOleth** My Welsh g/f tells me that while Welsh whiskey exists most of the people she knows wouldn’t be caught dead drinking it though here’s a site which states that the Welsh were maybe the ones to invent the stuff ! [http://www.celticmalts.com/journal-a8.htm](http://www.celticmalts.com/journal-a8.htm) [http://www.celticmalts.com/journal-a16.htm](http://www.celticmalts.com/journal-a16.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/19 "2003-11-24T15:18:40Z")
The peat is used in the drying process, it has little to do with the water. Scottish water is usually ‘soft’ due to the geology of the land. This means it has very few disolved minerals. English water tends to be ‘hard’, with dissolved minerals. This makes poor whisky. AFAIK any quality whisky production uses spring water, not the municipal supply with added chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884/20 "2003-11-24T15:25:13Z")
Welsh Produce include… Taffski vodka Swn y môr whisky from Brecon Prince of Wales whisky Brains beer Dylan Thomas Pale Ale. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-a-number-of-noted-irish-and-scottish-whiskies-why-no-famous-english-whiskies/214884.md?page=2)