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• International Whiskey Day

International Whiskey Day is celebrated annually on March 27. Known as “the water of life” or uisce na beatha in Gaelic, whiskey's name comes from the Gaelic language. Over time, the term was shortened to uisce (meaning "water"), and the pronunciation evolved from "ish-key" to "whiskey." Since then, the pronunciation has remained unchanged. Whiskey has a rich and storied history of meticulous distillation that spans more than 500 years. When it comes to whiskey, there’s no better way to bring people together than by sharing a few glasses and creating lasting memories. Today is the perfect occasion for whiskey enthusiasts to enjoy a fine bottle with friends.

History of International Whiskey Day

International Whiskey Day was established in 2009 at the Whisky Festival Northern Netherlands to honor Michael James Jackson, a renowned whiskey writer. The date, March 27, was chosen to coincide with Jackson’s birthday, as he was born in 1942. Jackson, known for his expertise in malt whiskey, played a significant role in popularizing single malt whiskey globally. His whiskey reviews, scored on a scale from 0 to 100, were highly regarded.

Distillation, the process behind whiskey production, dates back to ancient Babylon, with the first evidence found in Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. By 1100, monks in Scotland were producing early forms of whiskey. Whiskey itself was first officially mentioned in 1405. Today, International Whiskey Day is celebrated by whiskey enthusiasts worldwide, honoring both the drink and Jackson’s influential legacy.

International Whiskey Day Timeline

1405 First Official Mention

Whiskey is officially referenced as a distilled product for the first time.

1608 Irish Distillery

The Irish government grants approval for the establishment of a whiskey distillery.

2008 First Announcement

The announcement of International Whiskey Day is made for the first time.

2009 First Celebration

The inaugural celebration of International Whiskey Day takes place at the Whisky Festival in Northern Netherlands.

5 Interesting Facts About Whiskey 

Beer Ferments Into Whiskey

The "wort," which is essentially beer before it’s distilled, is the key ingredient in whiskey production. Similar to brewing beer, wort consists of water, yeast, and malts, and it even has the added benefit of helping to deter unwanted pests.

Oldest Whiskey in the World

The oldest whiskey on record, according to Guinness World Records, is a 400ml bottle of Glenavon Special Liqueur Whisky. Believed to have been bottled between 1851 and 1858, it was owned by an Irish family until it was auctioned at Bonhams in London, where it sold for a stunning £14,850.

The Most Expensive Whiskey

Macallan's M Whisky holds the record as the most expensive whiskey, fetching £393,109 at an auction in Hong Kong. Over half of the whiskey in this luxurious decanter was aged in Spanish oak sherry casks between the 1940s and 1990s.

The Angel’s Share

Each year, approximately 2% of the whiskey inside barrels evaporates. In some cultures, this loss is referred to as the “angel’s share.”

Prohibition

During Prohibition, whiskey was nearly banned entirely in the U.S. but remained legal thanks to a loophole that allowed doctors to prescribe whiskey as medicine.

Source: https://nationaltoday.com/