The Difference Between Whisky & Whiskey

No, it's not just a spelling error

A classic Manhattan wouldn't be the same without whiskey—or is it whisky? You might have seen the liquor spelled both ways on a bar menu and thought that it was just a typo, but there is actually a major difference between whiskey and whisky. Let's get to the bottom of the barrel.

The spelling depends on the whiskey's—or whisky's—country of origin.

Irish and American products, such as bourbon, rye and Tennessee, are known as whiskey and are spelled with an e. Products produced in Scotland, Canada and Japan are spelled without the e.

You might think it's no big deal; however, whiskey and whisky drinkers and enthusiasts take the spelling very seriously. So seriously that even The New York Times bended to complaints and agreed to use both spellings after years of calling everything whiskey.

Whether your prefer whiskey or whisky in your glass, everyone can agree it's time for a drink.