On 1 June 1495, Friar John Cor was granted permission to produce the first batch of Scotch whiskey.

The distillation to make alcoholic beverages has been around for thousands of years. The practice was essential when water was scarce and contaminated. Alcoholic beverages could be relied on as safe and potable.

Over time the practice of making alcoholic beverages became more refined and became a learned trade and art. Entire cities became known for their style of alcoholic beverage. This surge of knowledge and the will to make better quality beverages is what made history for Scotland on 1 June 1495 when the Scottish government gave Friar John Cor eight bolls of malt to produce whiskey. Eight bolls of malt would produce roughly 1,500 bottles of whiskey. The Exchequer Scrolls of 1494­1495 read as “To Friar John Cor by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VII bolls of malt.”

The King ordered John Cor to make “aqua vitae.” According to Whisky or Whisky, “The term whiskey derives from the Gaelic usquebaugh – which comes from the Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, or the Irish Gaelic spelling uisce beatha. Uisce comes from the Old Irish for term for ‘water’ and beatha from bethad, meaning ‘of life’ [therefore]whisky is etymologically linked with a great number of spirits, all of which refer to the origins of the spirit or, the quest for the elixir of life.” Whiskey had multiple uses back in 1495. The first crude whiskeys were used for medicinal purposes. By Friar John Cor being granted permission he sprang forward the Scotch Whiskey for all of Scotland.

–Josh Keyes
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Photo Caption: James IV was king of Scotland in 1495.

Meet the Author

Josh Keyes is a student at Schoolcraft College.