There is a certain anomaly in the song in that all printed versions seem to spell 'whiskey' with the penultimate -e-, which is surely the Irish/Bourbon way — Scotch whisky is traditionally spelt without that -e-. Any explanation for this?

Also — the concept itself: I take it that 'Nancy Whiskey' is a sort of fanciful personification of "the Creature" - Whisky. Did this originate with the song, or did the phrase/personificatory·concept predate the song or have any earlier application? Why "Nancy" - usually in folksong a sailor's girlfriend? Is there a Scots adjective similar to the name 'Nancy" which would make it an appropriate name to apply to the personification of the usquebaugh?

These questions have long exercised me. Can anyone furnish any answers?