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THE MIXICOLOGIST.
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WHISKEY.
Whisky or whiskey,a spirit distilled for drinking,
which originated,at least so far as regards the name,
with the Celtic inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland,
and its manufacture and use still continues to be
closely associated with those two countries.
Distilled spirit first became popularly known as
aqua vitse, and it was originally used only as a
powerful medicinal agent. It was not till about the
middle of the 17th century that it came into use in
Scotland as an intoxicating beverage. It is only the
finer qualities of matured malt and grain whiskey
that can be used as simple or unblended spirit. In
the United States whiskey is distilled chiefly from
corn and rye, wheat and barley malt being used,
though only to a limited extent. Whiskey is greatly
improved by age; it is not mellow, nor its flavor
agreeable until it is several years old. Whiskey
peems to be the most favored drink in America for
purposes of stimulation, and in uncertain moments
when one is undecided as to what to take it is gen
erally regarded by steady drinkers as the purestand
most reliable drink. They appear to know good
whiskey by the taste of it.