Irish whiskey has a deep-rooted connection to the number three, making March 3rd (3/3) the perfect day to honor this iconic spirit with its own holiday—International Irish Whiskey Day!

From the way it’s made to the traditions behind it, the magic of three runs through every drop of Irish whiskey. Whether you’re a whiskey lover or just a fan of a good story, today is the perfect time to raise a glass and learn why this number is so significant.

For Day 3 of our Countdown to St. Paddy’s, we’re celebrating International Irish Whiskey Day with a fun giveaway—see play by scrolling down to the clover in the middle of this post!

Why Three?
The Sacred Number in Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey isn’t just made—it’s crafted through a meticulous process, one that happens to follow a recurring pattern of threes:

Three Ingredients – At its core, Irish whiskey is made with just barley, water, and yeast. This simple trio forms the foundation of every great Irish whiskey.

Triple Distillation – Unlike Scotch whisky, which is typically distilled twice, Irish whiskey is triple distilled. This third pass through the copper pot stills removes impurities, creating the notoriously smooth, mellow, and easy-drinking character that sets Irish whiskey apart. (Some brands, like Kilbeggan and Tyrconnell, use double distillation, but triple is the standard.)

Aged at Least Three Years – By Irish law, whiskey must rest in wooden casks for a minimum of three years before it can officially be called "Irish whiskey." This aging process develops depth and complexity, allowing the whiskey to mature into something truly special.

But the influence of three doesn’t stop there—Irish whiskey continues to embrace this number in its styles, maturation, and history.

Three Classic Styles of Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is traditionally categorized into three distinct types:

Single Malt – Made from 100% malted barley in a pot still at a single distillery. Rich, smooth, and often aged longer for deeper flavors.

Single Pot Still – A uniquely Irish style made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in a pot still. Creamy, spicy, and full-bodied.

Single Grain – Made from a mix of grains (like corn or wheat) in a continuous still. Lighter and smoother, often blended with other whiskeys.

Most popular Irish whiskeys you see on the shelf are blends that combine two or more of these styles for the perfect balance of flavors (e.g., Tullamore D.E.W. & Jameson).

Three Cask Maturation – The Trinity of Flavor

Many premium Irish whiskeys embrace triple cask aging, a technique where the whiskey matures in three different types of barrels before blending. This layering of flavors creates extraordinary depth. Some examples:

Bourbon Casks – Add sweetness, vanilla, and caramel.

Sherry Casks – Bring dried fruit, nuttiness, and spice.

Rum or Wine Casks – Impart tropical fruit, toasted oak, or rich tannins.

Three Distilleries That Saved Irish Whiskey

By the mid-20th century, Irish whiskey was struggling, with many distilleries closing their doors. To ensure its survival, three of Ireland’s most iconic distilleries—Jameson, Powers, and Cork Distilleries Co.—merged in 1966 to form Irish Distillers.

This pivotal move kept the tradition alive, consolidating production at Midleton Distillery and paving the way for the global resurgence of Irish whiskey. Today, their legacy continues in the thriving whiskey scene we know and love.

Powers Three Swallows – A Nod to History

The number three even appears in Powers Irish Whiskey, one of Ireland’s most iconic brands. The label features three swallows, a symbol deeply rooted in tradition:

A Mark of Age, Quality & Purity – Powers used the swallow emblem to signify their finest single pot still whiskey, ensuring exceptional maturity, craftsmanship, and smoothness.

Quality Marking – In the 1800s, Powers physically stamped barrels with one, two, or three swallows to denote quality—three swallows signified the gold standard.

Honoring the Irish Coachmen – At the original John's Lane Distillery, each coach carrying Powers whiskey had three coachmen. They would bring a small flask on long journeys, with just enough whiskey to give each man a good swallow, ensuring warmth without overindulgence.

🍀 DAY 3 Giveaway: What’s Your Irish Pub Name?

In celebration of Ireland’s greatest spirit and for our Day 3 shenanigans, we’re giving away a $25 Saints & Scholars gift card to one lucky winner!

How to Enter:

🌟Head to our Facebook or Instagram post from today! (Linked below)

🌟Comment your "Irish Pub Name" → (Your pet’s name + Your favorite Irish whiskey) 🐶🥃

•No pet? Use your nickname!

🌟Double your chances to WIN and comment on each platform!

🌟Winner announced Wednesday, March 5th at 9PM in the comments of that post!

So, what’s your Irish pub name?

Ours would be Koda Waterford's (a bit refined sounding?) and Ollie Powers (a bit more upbeat)!

Drop yours in the comments on Facebook or Instagram!

AND, if you want more exclusive daily pub specials & giveaways this month, be sure you sign up for our Countdown to St. Paddy’s!

More Ways to Celebrate Irish Whiskey at S&S!

Explore our extensive Irish whiskey selection – Ask your bartender for a recommendation from our 100+ Irish Whiskeys!

Join our Whiskey Trail Experience! Runs through March 22nd. Inquire with staff for details.

Whiskey Flights – We currently offer two flights (Powers & Tullamore D.E.W.), with more coming soon!

Upcoming Events

We have lots happening this month, so stay in the loop by checking out our Events Page for full details on Irish Week celebrations and all the exciting events ahead!

More details will be added in the coming days, so be sure to check back!

We do hope you will join us!

Events to Sign Up For:

This Wednesday! 3/5: Ladies Night - Luck Be a Lady: Dress up in Green & Gold, and you might win! We will also have Lucky Giveaways, Live Music, and $8 Martini!

Wednesday 3/12: Scholars Irish Trivia - Please sign up in advance, Teams up to 6! Prizes!

Friday 3/15: Dueling Pianos – This is a ticketed event, $30/person, Sign Up Info Coming Soon!)

Sunday 3/16: Family Day (1-4pm)! (Pot O’Gold Brunch in the morning & Live Music at night)

Monday 3/17: St. Paddy’s Day Pipes & Drums (Per person fee for table reservations during this time. Details will be out soon!)

See our Events Page for all our happenings!

St. Paddy’s Food Specials & More!

The wait is over—our limited-time Corned Beef Entree and Lamb Stew with Soda Bread are officially on the menu. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy these Irish comfort food favorites all month long!

This week, we're celebrating more than just Irish flavors!

🌮 Taco Tuesday is back with delicious Fish & Shrimp Tacos for just $4 each!

And, we’re serving up Chef Brad’s incredible Jambalaya all week for Mardi Gras! If you missed out on it last year, don’t make the same mistake—I’ve been thinking about it ever since! 🤤

Plus, stay tuned as I uncover a connection between Ireland and New Orleans (because let’s be honest… Ireland seems to be linked to everything! 😉).

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all month long and make this St. Patrick’s season one to remember!

Sláinte!
Amanda, Adrian, and the Saints & Scholars Fam