In the tenth century, a Persian physician and alchemist, Rhazes, discovered distilled spirits. Actually, he was looking for a way to release
“the spirit of the wine,” which was welcomed at the time as the “true
water of life.” European scientists rejoiced in their long-sought “philosopher’s stone,” or perfect element. A mystique developed, and alcohol
was called the fountain of youth, eau-de-vie, aqua vitae. Usequebaugh,
from the Gaelic usige beath, meaning “breath of life,” is the source of the
word “whiskey.” The word “alcohol” itself is derived from the Arabic
al kohl. It
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