This Day in History: On this day (June 1) in 1495, a monk named John Tor introduced Scotch Whisky for the first time. Catholic monks have for centuries blessed the world with different varieties of the so-called "demon alcohol." They gave us champagne (Dom Pérignon was the name of a monk), Chartreuse, Brandy, Rompope and they started the California wine industry. Though beer had been around for thousands of years, it was monks that perfected beer to the quality we enjoy today. Propino tibi.
"Equally impressive is the religious contribution to distilled spirits. Whiskey was invented by medieval Irish monks, who probably shared their knowledge with the Scots during their missions. Chartreuse is widely considered the world’s best liqueur because of its extraordinary spectrum of distinct flavors and even medicinal benefits. Perfected by the Carthusian order almost 300 years ago, the recipe is known by only two monks at a time. The herbal liqueur Bénédictine D.O.M. is reputed to have been invented in 1510 by an Italian Benedictine named Dom Bernardo Vincelli to fortify and restore weary monks. And the cherry brandy known as Maraska liqueur was invented by Dominican apothecaries in the early 16th century." Source
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