What is the "Correct Whiskey"?

A little excerpt from a discussion in British Parliament in 1909- debates over whether blends should be considered legitimate, “correct whiskies.” American blenders using Islay malts to blend out American “scotches” are mentioned in there, too. Yes, that’s right! The UK fought to answer the question “What is Whiskey” too. It wasn’t just happening here in President Taft’s office as the battle commenced between the rectifiers and the straight whiskey men…

(From the Parliamentary Papers – Mr. WILLIAM PHEYSEY, called. Wednesday, 18th March, 1908. At the Westminster Palace Hotel.)

2806. Do I understand from you that amongst consumers there is really an ignorance as to these different classes of pot still spirits

and blends? — With the ordinary consumer, yes, there is ignorance.

2807. And he is really guided by the reputation of the old genuine pot still spirits? — Entirely, because he gets a suspicion of the flavour, and he thinks it is all right.

2808. So that these blends have the advantage of trading on the reputation of the old pot still? Decidedly. It is the strong flavoured whiskey that is most in demand. Our American cousins are very fond of buying Islay whiskey because they can mix it with common maize spirit, and it is sold as Scotch whiskey. Islay whiskey has a very strong flavour. The peat that is employed in the drying of the malt gives a very strong flavour indeed to the grain, and that comes out in the distillation. The Americans bought very large quantities of Islay whiskey specially to mix with their plain spirit, and they sell the result of that as Scotch whiskey. They trade upon the flavour of Islay whiskey.

2809. ( Dr. Horace T. Brown.) I am not quite clear about your attitude with respect to blends. Are you of the opinion that blends of malt and patent spirit may be legitimately sold as Scotch or Irish whiskey? — I am very glad you have asked me the question because you have given me the opportunity of explaining the position I take up in this matter. I call it Scotch whiskey because the name has been used, and has been applied to patent still spirit made in Scotland. It has been applied for so many years that the term is sanctified by the old usage, but I do not consider that patent still spirit is whiskey. But what would you call it?

2810. But still that, blended with pot still whiskey, you would call Scotch or Irish whiskey? — It is called Scotch or Irish whiskey, but it is only for that reason.

2811. The question of whether it is to be called Scotch or Irish whiskey does not depend in any way upon the constituents of the blend being declared? Whether blended Scotch whiskey is declared as blend or not does not affect the question of whether it is Scotch or not? — No. If the patent still grain is made in Scotland it has a right to be called Scotch patent spirit or Scotch whiskey.

2812. Would you make any limit whatever with regard to the blending of patent still spirit with pot still spirit? Is there any point at which it would cease to be Scotch whiskey? — It is very desirable that the proportions should be stated.

2813. I think your definition requires little alteration if you admit that blends may be called Scotch. You say Scotch whiskey should be distilled in a pot still from malted barley alone? — That is the correct Scotch whiskey.