International Irish Whiskey Day

Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky differ not just in taste but also in spelling!

The “e” in Irish whiskey emerged in the 19th century. Irish distillers added it to distinguish their smoother product from harsher Scotch whiskies, hoping to attract the American market.

Since then, Irish distillers kept the “e,” while the Scots skipped it. This distinction also influenced American whiskey producers, who also spell it with an “e.”

Yes! Irish folklore ties whiskey to good fortune.

For example, some people say that spilling whiskey in your house brings luck, while refusing a shot of Irish whiskey could offend “The Good People” (faeries), bringing misfortune.

Even in Irish pubs, leaving a little whiskey at the end of a bottle or glass is believed to honor ancestors and spirits.

In the U.S., some bars offer tastings featuring unique Irish whiskey brands and special flights, paired with traditional Irish foods.

In Japan, fans combine whiskey with local flavors, mixing Irish whiskey cocktails with yuzu or matcha.

Some Canadian pubs hold “whiskey bingo” and games tied to whiskey trivia, making the celebration both informative and fun!

One popular Irish toast goes, “May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out.”

This timeless saying captures the spirit of camaraderie, shared laughter, and friendship that Irish whiskey embodies.

Other toasts often use the word “sláinte,” meaning “health,” showing that every sip is about celebrating life.

Yes! The term “uisce beatha,” meaning “water of life,” describes Irish whiskey in Gaelic.

Early monks in Ireland adapted distillation to create medicinal spirits, calling it “aqua vitae” in Latin. When translated, it became “uisce beatha,” which eventually morphed into “whiskey.”

One myth suggests that Irish whiskey is always triple-distilled for smoothness. While many Irish brands do triple distill their whiskey, some don’t.

For example, Connemara Irish whiskey only uses double distillation, adding a bit more bite.

This debunks the myth that all Irish whiskey must follow the same distillation pattern!

Yes, the legendary playwright James Joyce was a fan of Irish whiskey, particularly Powers whiskey.

He mentioned whiskey in his famous works, saying, “The light music of whiskey falling into a glass…” Irish whiskey’s warming effect inspired him and other writers like Brendan Behan and Flann O’Brien, all fans of this “creative fuel.”

The oldest known bottle of Irish whiskey is an 1868 George Roe whiskey, held by Dublin’s National Museum.

George Roe was one of the most famous distilleries in 19th-century Ireland before closing in 1926.

This rare bottle offers a glimpse into the rich past of Irish whiskey, long before its revival in the modern market.

Try a “Gaelic Flip!” This historic cocktail combines Irish whiskey, port, sugar, and a whole egg for a creamy, rich drink.

The “flip” style became popular in the 1800s, and the Irish loved making it their own with local whiskey.

This is a unique, often-overlooked treat that captures Irish whiskey’s flavor in a dessert-like twist.

The phrase “tastes lucky” comes from Irish whiskey’s famous smoothness and earthy notes.

Many drinkers say the spirit gives a “warm, golden” feel, linked to Ireland’s rolling green landscapes.

Some say that whiskey distilled near sacred Irish sites carries a bit of “fairy magic,” adding to its lucky reputation.