clipped from: www.whiskycoast.co.uk The Scotch whisky we enjoy today has endured and developed for centuries. It has survived prohibition, wars and revolutions, economic depressions and recessions and is the spirit of choice in over 200 countries around the world.
The name 'whisky' originated with the Gaelic 'Uisge Beatha', or 'water of life'. This was shortened to 'usky' and became 'whisky' in English.
For a whisky to be labelled Scotch it has to be produced in Scotland. If it is to be called Scotch, it cannot be produced elsewhere in the UK or anywhere else in the world.
Excellent whiskies are made by similar methods in other countries but they cannot be called Scotch. They are most often referred to as 'whiskey' and undoubtedly they are high quality whiskies, but unlike Scotch they do not capture the tastes of Scotland.