Scottish Pro Golfer Bob MacIntyre and American Elijah Craig Bourbon Invite Fans to Bridge the Great Whisk(e)y Spelling Divide: Whiskey or Whisky?

Iconic American whiskey's Scottish brand ambassador continues his mission to unite whisk(e)y fans from both sides of the Atlantic

BARDSTOWN, Ky., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Elijah Craig, the award-winning family of premium American whiskeys, and Bob MacIntyre, PGA TOUR^® professional golfer and brand ambassador, are bidding to unite Bourbon and Scotch lovers by lobbying for a uniform spelling of the word that already unites them: Whiskey vs. Whisky. As we enter National Bourbon Heritage Month (September), Elijah Craig is asking fans to vote and bring whisk(e)y lovers from both sides of the pond together under one shared spelling.

In a new video, Bob reveals his choice: whiskey with an 'e' in a nod to Elijah Craig, the American whiskey pioneer credited with introducing the groundbreaking practice of charring oak barrels before aging Bourbon in them, transforming a once-clear liquid into the beautiful, complex brown liquid we know as whiskey today. It is why Elijah Craig is widely referred to as the Father of Bourbon.

"I've spent plenty of time on both sides of the Atlantic, and one thing I've learned is that great whiskey, with or without the 'e,' is rooted in craftsmanship, tradition and bringing people together," said MacIntyre, who is currently ranked ninth worldwide. "As a proud Scot, I'll always be fond of my Scotch whisky roots, but in the spirit of bourbon's U.S. heritage and bringing whiskey lovers together, I think the 'e' deserves its place."

Scotch and Bourbon fans alike can visit ElijahCraig.com to have their say by voting for their preferred spelling. Voting is open now through September 29 at 11:59PM. The result will be announced on the last day of Bourbon Heritage Month, September 30, on Elijah Craig's Instagram.

MacIntyre's and Elijah Craig's latest bid to unite the world of whiskey follows MacIntyre's invitation for Scotch lovers to swap their favorite spirit for a dram of Bourbon on International Whiskey Day in late March – as he noted at the time, ideally with Elijah Craig, the Official Bourbon of the PGA of America and the Ryder Cup. 

Scotch fans looking to add the 'e' back into their whiskey rotation with the Father of Bourbon can reach for Elijah Craig's award-winning Small Batch, known for its distinctive warm spice, Toasted Barrel, with a second toasted finish for an added layer of sweet oak complexity, and Straight Rye with notes of rich baking spices and honey. 

Follow Elijah Craig on Instagram to stay informed on the latest releases and visit ElijahCraig.com to find a retailer near you.

About Elijah Craig Bourbon
Elijah Craig is one of the most award-winning families of premium Bourbons and Ryes. Its inaugural Barrel Proof Rye release (2025) is Whisky Advocate's reigning Whiskey of the Year. The Reverend Elijah Craig, the brand's namesake, is known as "The Father of Bourbon," having established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery's Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term "small batch" even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body, and rich flavor. Along with Whisky Advocate's Whiskey of the Year, the brand's accolades have included Best Small Batch Bourbon, Best Single Barrel Bourbon (aged 11+ years) and Best Straight Bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com

Media Contact
Ella Hale
ehale@threecheerspr.com

SOURCE Elijah Craig