International Whisky Day

International Whisky Day was created in honor of British author Michael Jackson, who wrote a number of important books about beer and whisky. He died after suffering from Parkinson's disease for at least a decade. International Whisky Day is celebrated on the anniversary of his birth. After being thought up by Dutch whisky writer Hans Offringa, the day was announced by a group of writers in 2008 and was first observed in 2009, being launched at the Whiskey Festival of Northern Netherlands, which had many whisky writers who wanted to honor their late friend and support the day in attendance.

The name of the holiday is sometimes written as International Whisk(e)y Day to show support for whisky all around the world—for whisky without the "e" in Scotland, Canada, and Japan, and for Irish and American whiskeys with the "e." The day's official announcement reads, "On this date let every whisk(e)y lover annually raise a dram - wherever in the world he or she may be - to honour the many unsung heroes of the past and present, who have been crafting the King O' Drinks for centuries and will hopefully continue to do so till the end of time."

Whisky is a distilled spirit made from the fermented mash of cereal grains. It is aged in wooden containers, usually of white oak. The earliest record of whisky being made is in 1494 in Scotland. There are distinctive whiskies made in different countries, which are produced in different ways, using different cereal grains and different water.

Scotch is whisky made in Scotland. It has a smoky flavor and is made primarily with barley. Canadian whisky is light in flavor and body and is made from mashes that are a combination of rye, wheat, corn, and barley. It is usually aged for at least six years and is then reduced with water until it is 45 percent alcohol by volume. Irish whiskey is similar to Scotch but doesn't have a smoky flavor.

Whiskey production in the United States began in the early eighteenth century; the whiskey is made with malt and other grains, usually corn and rye. Bourbon whiskey which has the flavor of corn, was first made in Bourbon County, Kentucky, but the name now applies to similar whiskeys made with corn mash. A mash of at least 51 percent corn is straight bourbon whiskey, and a mash of at least 80 percent corn is straight corn whiskey. Similarly, a mash of at least 51 percent barley malt is straight malt whiskey, and a mash of at least 51 percent rye malt is straight rye whiskey.

How to Observe International Whisky Day

• Drink whisky for the love of whisky and to celebrate the life of British whisky writer Michael Jackson. Have a dram of it or enjoy it in a cocktail such as a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Rusty Nail, Whiskey Sour, or Mint Julep.
• Get together with a few friends or family members or host a whisky party.
• Buy a special bottle of whisky or a bottle of your favorite brand of whisky.
• If you own or run a distillery, whisky shop, or whisky bar, host a tasting or offer specials. If you are a patron of such establishments, look for events and specials.
• Follow the International Whisky Day Facebook page.
• Read a book by Michael Jackson such as Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide or Malt Whisky Companion.
• Donate to a charity. Parkinson's disease charities are often donated to because Michael Jackson suffered from Parkinson's disease.
• Share about what type of whisky you are enjoying, who you are enjoying it with, and how you are having it: neat, on the rocks, with water, or in a mixed drink.

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