Irish whiskey is one of the oldest distilled spirits in all of Europe. It was first created during the 13th century when monks returning from the Mediterranean brought back with them the art of distilling spirits. For centuries, whiskey production was a rustic process that was mostly carried out by monks and farmers.

Then, during the 17th century, it began to come into its own, so to speak. Now, Irish whiskey is one of the more popular distilled spirits in the world. It even has its own holiday, observed annually on March 3rd, known as International Irish Whiskey Day. This is the perfect day for those of legal drinking age to reacquaint themselves with this ancient liquor.

The History of International Irish Whiskey Day

We’re unsure who invented this holiday or exactly when it was created, but we do know why it’s observed on the 3rd of March every year. It’s not only because Saint Patrick’s Day is exactly two weeks away, but also because the number 3 is extremely important in Ireland.

The shamrock, which is the symbol of Ireland, has three leaves; the Irish flag has three colors (green, white, and orange); and there are three types of Irish whiskey (Single Malt, Single Grain, and Irish Single Pot Still).

Plus, Irish whiskey is triple-distilled and matured for three years. So, it should be no wonder that International Irish Whiskey Day is observed on the third day of the third month of the year.

Some Quick Facts About Irish Whiskey

For people who are wondering what it would be like to enjoy some facts about Irish whiskey while they’re sipping their Irish whiskey, we’ve done a wee bit of research and come up with the following factoids.

We think the following facts about Irish whiskey are perfect for enjoying on this day, so let’s take a peek at them before moving on with the discussion of International Irish Whiskey Day.

• Irish whiskey doesn’t use toasted barley.
• There are four major Irish whiskey distilleries in Ireland: Bushmills, Kilbeggan, New Midleton, and Cooley.
• According to the 1980 Irish Whiskey Act, Irish whiskey must be aged and distilled in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

Observing International Irish Whiskey Day

For everyone old enough to drink, this holiday is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some real Irish whiskey. There are a number of different brands available, so all a person has to do is choose the one they like the most. This is also a good day for people to spread their love of Irish whiskey across the Internet by using the hashtag #InternationalIrishWhiskeyDay.