In it's earliest form a distillate of a form of ale. Distillation was invented by the Chinese and Egyptians to produce perfumes and oils and adpated by early Christian monks. The name was taken from the Gaellic "uisge beathe" meaning water of life. Whisky is only produced in Scotland with the "e" can be produced in many areas most notably Ireland, USA and Canada. Japan, Australian and New Zealand are now producing some fine examples and the Welsh Whiskey is worth a dram or two.