1494
Scotland
Strong surviving documentary evidence of grain-spirit production, often overstated as the invention date of whisky.
The event is documentary evidence of production, not proof that whisky was invented in Scotland in 1494.
A Scottish Exchequer entry records malt supplied to Friar John Cor to make aquavitae.
The History of Bourbon and Other American Whiskies / The Scholar’s Corner
What happened
A 1494 Scottish Exchequer entry records malt supplied to Friar John Cor to make aquavitae.
Why it matters
The record is a major surviving documentary anchor for the history of grain-spirit production.
Evidence and its limits
The research record below explains the supporting evidence and its limits. Internal review labels describe our workflow; they do not remove the historical uncertainties noted here.
What this does not establish
Do not present 1494 as the invention date of whisky. A surviving record demonstrates production, not origin.
Connections
This milestone supplies European whiskey context before the story moves to colonial North America.
Citations and further reading
Return to the story
- Lesson: Before American Whiskey
- Research timeline: The Scholar’s Corner