International Whiskey Day is a yearly celebration on March 27. “The water of life” or ‘uisce na beatha’ in Gaelic, is the term given to whiskey by the Gaelic language. Soon after, the name was shortened to ‘uisce’ (meaning ‘water’), and the pronunciation gradually shifted from ‘ish-key’ to ‘whiskey.’ Since then, the pronunciation has stayed the same. Whiskey has a long and distinguished history of careful distillation, dating back more than 500 years. When it comes to whiskey, there’s no better way to bring people together than to have a few glasses and make some amazing memories. Today is the ideal opportunity for whiskey fans to indulge with a high-end bottle and some friends.
History of International Whiskey Day
The history of International Whiskey Day is closely linked to the history of the drink. Distillation is a chemical process that has been around since Babylon. First, the ‘mash’ is made by heating grain and water to convert starch into sugars. This is because the type of grain used in the distillation process determines the final whiskey. Thus, the wort is the first step in this magnificent drink’s life. Also, maturing inside a barrel is common. The time spent aging is worth it.
In Mesopotamia in 2000 B.C., the first evidence of distillation was found. To make pure drinking water from seawater, Alexander of Aphrodisias distilled it around 100 A.D. Before 1100, when monks journeying to Scotland fermented grain mash and manufactured the first instance of whiskey, distillation processes existed. The first official mention of whiskey as a distilled product was in 1405.
The first mention of the annual International Whiskey Day dates back to the year 2008. The International Whiskey Day was created in 2009 at the Whisky Festival Northern Netherlands. To honor the departed Michael James Jackson, the great whiskey writer, the International Whiskey Day was born. To commemorate the birthday of Michael James Jackson, who was born on March 27, 1942, the date has been meticulously picked. English writer and journalist Michael Jackson wrote numerous books on beer and whiskey. He was well-known for his knowledge of malt whiskey as well as his knowledge of beer.
Michael Jackson is well-known for his whiskey reviews. He has graded his whiskeys on a scale of zero to 100, with a score of 75 indicating that it is worth buying. For all the attention he received as a beer writer, his accomplishments in the whiskey industry much outweigh his influence in the beer sector. He was one of the most significant whiskey writers since Alfred Barnard. His accomplishments were widely acknowledged, and he was given the honorary title “Master of the Quaich.” As a result, his whiskey books sold incredibly quickly, and his tastings were always sold out. He had a profound impact on the development of single malt whiskey around the world. All of the work that goes into organizing International Whiskey Day is done by whiskey enthusiasts from throughout the world.
International Whiskey Day timeline
The first official reference to whiskey as a distilled product is made.
The Irish government grants permission for the establishment of a whiskey distillery there.
The first announcement of International Whiskey Day is made.
The first celebration happens at the Whisky Festival in the Northern Netherlands.
International Whiskey Day related content
International Whiskey Day FAQs
Is there any health benefit to consuming whiskey?
Whiskey is lower in calories and sugar than other alcoholic beverages. Its ellagic acid content may also help to reduce inflammation in the body and obesity. It helps alleviate the symptoms of a cold, boosts the immune system, and improves brain health. Drinking whiskey may have additional health benefits, according to research. Moderate drinking is the key to reaping these benefits, as binge drinking can have detrimental effects on one’s health.
How much should you have?
What precisely does moderation mean when it comes to whiskey consumption, and how much should you drink to reap its benefits? Per Harvard’s recommendations, ladies should have no more than one drink per day, while men should limit themselves to two.
How well does whiskey aid sleep?
Anxiety sufferers may find relief from the barbiturate impact of alcohol, which also has sedative effects.
International Whiskey Day Activities
Discover a new whiskey to savor
Gather with a group of friends and share your favorite whiskey, as well as some new ones you've discovered. For example, look at these: Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Canadian Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, or Japanese Whiskey are all excellent choices.
Read about our favorite whiskey
Whether you have a favorite brand or type of whiskey, you can always read about them. Some brands have very interesting histories while some types are made using a specific history. Whichever one you choose, you are going to learn some intriguing things, preferably as you are taking a sip from it.
Give a newcomer a taste of whiskey
A great way to celebrate is to introduce whiskey to someone who has never sipped it before. There are a lot of people who have never tried whiskey and don't know how to appreciate it. Select one of them, pour a glass, and introduce them to one of the finer things in life.
5 Interesting Facts About Whiskey
Beer ferments into whiskey
'Wort' is the 'beer' that is distilled into whiskey; when it comes to brewing, the wort is made up of water, yeast, and malts, just like a cold beer, and is also used to keep unwanted pests at bay.
Oldest whiskey in the world
The oldest whiskey, according to “Guinness World Records,” believed to have been packaged between 1851 and 1858, is the 400ml bottle of Glenavon Special Liqueur Whisky which was owned by an Irish family until it was auctioned off to Bonhams in London and sold for a remarkable £14,850.
The most expensive whiskey
Macallan's 'M' Whisky was sold at auction in Hong Kong for £393,109, making it the most expensive brand of this spirit in the world with more than half the whiskey in the elegant decanter distilled in Spanish oak sherry casks between the 1940s and 1990s.
The angel’s share
Each year, about 2% of the whiskey in the barrels is lost to evaporation and in some cultures, this is referred to as the “angel's share.”
Prohibition
During Prohibition, whiskey would have been outlawed had it not been for a medical loophole but it wasn't prohibited because of legislation allowing doctors to prescribe whiskey as medication.
Why We Love International Whiskey Day
It’s a classy drink
No one can deny that whiskey is one of the classiest alcohols enjoyed by millions all over the world. True whiskey connoisseurs' palates have long been shaped by the distinct flavor of whiskey, one of the most famous classic hot drinks.
There’s a community of whiskey lovers
There is a community of people who love whiskey and are proud to be a member of such a community. For the whiskey lovers, it tells a story of their favorite drink and how they entered the iconic world of whiskey and it is a great story to share with people you see who enjoy a sip of whiskey as much as you do.
It’s the drink of confident people
Whiskey has been touted as the drink of those who are confident in their abilities. It is a beloved drink that has been enjoyed over the years by kings and everyone.
International Whiskey Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 27 | Thursday |
| 2026 | March 27 | Friday |
| 2027 | March 27 | Saturday |
| 2028 | March 27 | Monday |
| 2029 | March 27 | Tuesday |
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