The first evidence of whisky production in Scotland is a entry in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1494 saying that malt was sent to “Friar John Cor, by order of the king, to make aquavitae” (a Latin word for alcohol).
It was enough to make around 500 bottles of the spirit, which it’s thought had been made in Scotland’s monasteries since the Romans brought the art of winemaking – but no grapes – to Britain hundreds of years earlier.
Since then whisky has become one of Scotland’s best whisky brands, distinct from the ‘whiskey’ produced elsewhere, and a glass of Scotch is now a sign of sophistication around the world.
Here are 10 incredible facts and figures about Scotland’s national drink, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.
5. Thousands of jobs
More than 10,000 people are directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland, with another 40,000 supported by the industry. Around 7,000 of these jobs in are in rural areas of Scotland and are crucial to many communities in the Highlands and Islands. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. A big draw for visitors
There are around 2.2 million visits to Scotch Whisky distilleries a year. This makes distillery tours the third most popular tourist attraction in Scotland. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Roll out the barrel
At any given time there are some 22 million casks of whisky maturing in warehouses across Scotland waiting to be bottled. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. A mature drink
To be called Scotch Whisky the drink must satisfy certain standards. It must be matured in oak casks for at least three years and be made in Scotland. Photo: Canva/Getty Images