Scotland is undeniably the world's whisky leader. With over 125 distilleries across the country, it is fair to say that the Scottish know how to create whisky. Some distilleries in Scotland were operating in the 18th century. Scotch or Uisge beatha (the Gaelic meaning 'Water of Life') is different from other whiskies as in order to be classified as 'Scotch whisky', it needs to be aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years.