You know just enough about whisk(e)y to get by. These Top 10 whisk(e)y random facts will add a bit of flavour to your conversations and ultimately help you in your whisk(e)y journey.

10. Whisk(e)y is completely clear in its natural, un-aged form. Aging the spirit in barrels gives it its colour and flavour.

9. Angels love whisk(e)y. Every year, aging whisk(e)y in barrels lose a percentage of its volume through evaporation. This is known as Angel's share. Warehouses that house ageing whisk(e)y in barrels will have blacken roofs because of this angel's share.

8. There are 6 major whisk(e)y producing regions in the world: Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Canadian Whisky , Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey regions.

7. Copper is the preferred material for stills because of its excellent anti-corrosive properties, effectiveness in heat transfer and cooling, antimicrobial ability. Copper also absorbs sulfur compounds and yeast cells produced during fermentation.

6. The Macallan M is the world's most expensive whisky having fetched US $ 628 205 at an auction.

5. The rule of thumb when spelling this golden spirit: When referring to bottles hailing from Canada, Japan, or Scotland, it’s whisky. American, Irish, and English whiskies are called whiskey.

4. Whisky comes from the Gaelic term Uisce beatha which means "Water of Life".

3. For a whisky to be called Scotch whisky, it has to be produced in Scotland from water and malted barley, to which only other whole grains may be added. It must also be matured in oak barrels in Scotland for 3 years and 1 day and bottled at no less than 40% abv.

2. Independent Bottling Companies such as Douglas Laing, Signatory Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, buy casks from the distilleries, or send empty casks to be filled and stored, and then carefully choose when to bottle and release them.

1. Irish Whiskey is the fastest growing spirit in the world with the value of Irish whiskey exports at €505 million in 2016.

By: Nokulunga Msibi