whisky

views updated Jun 11 2018

whisky (Irish or US whiskey) Alcoholic spirit made by distilling fermented cereal grains. Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey are both distilled from barley that has been allowed to sprout. It is then roasted, ‘mashed’, and distilled. In the USA, maize and rye are used to produce bourbon whiskey (corn) and rye whiskey. After distillation, refined whisky spirit is 70–85% alcohol by volume; all whiskies are therefore heavily diluted. Most whiskies are blended.

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whisky

views updated May 18 2018

whisky2 light carriage. XVIII. f. WHISK + -Y1, so named from its swift motion.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

whisky

views updated May 21 2018

whisky1 spirit distilled from malted barley, etc. XVIII. Shortening of whiskybae, var. of USQUEBAUGH.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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