From a posting on The Pour by Eric Asimov dated Feb. 9:

Words matter more than I imagined to some readers. Last December my column on Speyside single malts conjured up an outpouring of objections to my use of the spelling “whiskey” to refer to Scotch. Didn’t I know that Scotch was “whisky” and not “whiskey?”

Well, of course, I knew that. But nonetheless the style at The Times was to use the spelling “whiskey,” and that’s what I did. Given the vehemence of the reaction, though, I promised to ask the editors in charge of Times style to revisit the issue.

In fact, they did, and today, after careful consideration they’ve decided to alter our style. As of now, the spelling “whisky” will be used not only for Scotch but for Canadian liquor as well. The spelling “whiskey” will be used for all appropriate liquors from other sources.

May I add that the Belgians, the Bretons, the Corsicans, the Welsh and the Spaniards always use the term “whisky,” and not “whiskey,” for their own versions of the drink. I am not sure the Scots always like it, but that’s the way it is. LALAU