Raise a glass of Irish for World Whisky Day

World Whisky Day on 21 May is a great excuse to discover, or rediscover, the distinctive flavours that characterise the acclaimed Irish whiskey family.

With 26 working distilleries open to the public, you can journey around the island of Ireland in the company of some of the finest whiskeys in the world. What better way to spend World Whisky Day?

From the world’s oldest licensed distillery – Old Bushmills in County Antrim – to newcomers such as Crolly in Donegal and Roe & Co. in Dublin, the range of quality whiskeys and fascinating backstories make the island the perfect place for a whiskey pilgrimage.   

IrishWhiskey360° provides a map and information about the distilleries that offer tours, tastings and behind-the-scenes secrets about their golden elixirs.

To add a further fun dimension to your whiskey travels, Irishwhiskey360^o has launched a passport, which can be stamped at each distillery to become a unique record of your journey.

Passports can be picked up at participating distilleries, and there are sections for Dublin, the Wild Atlantic Way, the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East and Northern Ireland.  

Collect stamps at every distillery you visit and with one from each region, you can apply for an IrishWhiskey360° Champion special pin.

Why not start your whiskey odyssey in Dublin, which boasts five distilleries including the home of Ireland’s best-selling whiskey, Jameson? Its visitor experience has been voted the World’s Leading Distillery Tour.  

From there, whether you travel north, south or west you will never be far from a fascinating whiskey distillery experience.

In Ireland’s Ancient East, you’ll find classics such as Kilbeggan and Tullamore D.E.W.  as well as contemporary tastes including Slane Distillery’s triple-casked blend. 

The Hidden Heartlands are home to the unique Drumshanbo single pot still whiskey distilled at The Shed, and Lough Ree Distillery, where stories and yarns are woven into the very fabric of the spirits distilled.

The spectacular Wild Atlantic Way is dotted with distilleries. Among them is Clonakilty in County Cork, located in the stunning scenery and whose whiskey claims a unique maritime flavour.

And in Northern Ireland, County Down is a hotspot for the region’s new generation of distilleries, which include Echlinville, Rademon Estate and Hinch Distillery.     

The word whiskey (or whisky) comes from the Gaelic ‘uisce beatha’, meaning ‘water of life, and it’s said that whiskey has been produced for longer in Ireland than anywhere else. The Old Bushmills distillery has spelt its spirit as whiskey with an ‘e’ for over 400 years, so the ‘e’ is part of Ireland’s whiskey history.

This World Whisky Day, discover what makes Irish whiskey celebrated around the world and raise a glass to the water of life.