Dutch glory in glass: did the Netherlands invent Scotch whisky?

Will we soon add whisky to our national list of tulips, cheese and Delftware? Historical research reveals Dutch influence on whisky's development.

Will we soon have not only tulips, cheese and Delft Blue, but also whisky to add to our national list of honours? A new historical discovery is turning the world of the water of life completely upside down. Scotch whisky could well have its roots… in the Netherlands.

Just over two weeks ago, YouTube channel The Liquid Antiquarian posted a video that left many whisky lovers choking. According to whisky gurus Arthur Motley and Dave Broom, it was not the Scots themselves, but Dutch distillers who invented Scotch whisky as we know it today. 

Those Dutch, mostly doctors and chemists, brought their distilling skills to Scotland in the early 18th century. Names like Henricus Van Wyngaerden, a Dutch distiller who explained to the Scots in great detail how to distill a clean, refined drink, and Herman Boerhaave, the father of modern chemistry, turn up in forgotten archives. Complete with manuals on double distillation, reusing “faints” and how to avoid hops in whisky. Things that are still standard in Scotch whisky production today.

Until recently, we cherished the image of Scottish farmers, hidden in deserted valleys, using primitive pot stills to turn their grain into a robust drink. A romantic scene, but the truth is more refined. Without Dutch know-how, whisky might never have developed into the amber gold that today makes the hearts of millions of enthusiasts worldwide beat faster.

In short: the next time you raise a glass of whisky, you can do so with a Dutch “cheers!”…

Watch the full video below.