Whiskey is the generic term for the most widely consumed liquor in the world. It can be spelled without an ‘e’ in Scotland and Canada; whiskey with an ‘e’ in the United States and Ireland. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic, uisge beatha meaning ‘water of life’. The Latin equivalent, aqua vitae, was a term which was commonly used throughout Europe to describe the local spirit. Whiskey is made of grains (barley, corn, wheat, rye and others), yeast, and water; fermented then distilled, aged and bottled. It typically has an alcohol content of 40% alcohol by volume. Whisky comes in many varieties, the most usual being bourbon, Scotch, rye, blended, Canadian and Irish. Production of whiskey began in Ireland and Scotland around the 17th century. Today, it is made all over the world in places like India and Japan. Each country produces different products, sets its own standards, and within each country there is a great diversity.