I have had a lot of confusion around here as to why I'm spelling my hooch differently than the fine gents distilling in Kentucky. Let me give you a couple reasons and clear the air.
Language: I love language. I come from a family of musicians and song writers, so words, and how they are used is a part of who I am. I love plays on words so I have to admit that I'm kind of prone to puns. This is a Scottish spelling, and this is a nod to the Scots-Irish people that settled this region.
History: I also love history; in particular Ozark history. This is a pretty cool region that until the mid-1800s was where civilization (states) ended, and territories began. In the western Ozarks, there was often very little distinguishing between these two. This area was settled by and large from people of Scots-Irish descent. Many moved westward from Appalachia and brought with them their customs and language. There is a lot of old English (Elizabethan) words, phrases, and grammar present, but I'm making Whisky and not Gin! The Scotts in particular spell it Whisky and not WhiskEy. I think that is important because:
I'm not making bourbon. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE me some bourbon, but my obsessive desire to reduce, repurpose, and recycle has left me creating a product that tastes like bourbon but doesn't meet the federal criteria. Bourbon must be aged in brand new barrels. I am using wine barrels that have been recoopered. Whisky on penetrates a few millimeters into the wood. I have a company shave out the area that hits the whisky, have them give it an alligator char, and ship it to me. Trees are saved (literally) and amazing whisky is made.
In all, come by and lets talk about language. I love the language diversity in the U.S. There has been for a long time a heavy push towards homogenization of American English, and I severely hope that this ceases in favor of diversity. Accents and grammatical diversity is celebrated in many cultures worldwide, but there is a strong association of backwardness, stupidity, and ignorance in Appalachian/Ozark language. Disagree? Come by, have a sip with me, and lets talk about it.
References: These are cool links about Ozark Language. It applies just the same to Appalachian language as well
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/V1/N11/sp64e.htm
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow803j.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/11/25/shakespeare-ozarks-arkansas-unique-language-heritage/1724131/