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As the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, Bushmills has learned just about everything there is to know about making our favourite liquid. With Irish whiskey having been distilled on-site since 1608, there’s over 400 years of passion, skill, and expertise in every drop.
Further, Bushmills was the only distillery to keep the Irish single malt tradition alive for over a century. As competitors moved on in a cheeky attempt to avoid paying British taxes, the distillery stayed true, single-handedly saving the style. Now, amid a global comeback for the Irish single malt, Bushmills remains the authority on the matter.
As Master Distiller, Colum Egan, says, “We’re not good because we’re old, we’re old because we’re good.” In fact, Bushmills’ exclusive Causeway Collection has recently been bestowed with two historic victories (and an agonisingly close runner-up finish) for The Whisky Club’s annual Members’ Choice Awards. This has firmly cemented Bushmills’ status as a cult favourite among the most discerning whisky lovers, with the most recent release being sold at auction in Europe for a whopping seven times the members’ price.
Father’s Day is Almost Here
Now that Father’s Day is fast approaching, we can think of no better way to celebrate the men who raised us than by sharing centuries of unparalleled craftsmanship. Across the distillery’s range, there’s a whiskey for every kind of palate, and for those yet to experience Bushmills, what better time to satiate your curiosity?
So read on to discover the Bushmills that’s right for you and your old man. Here’s to our fathers, grandfathers, and everyone else who deserves a dram.
Bushmills 10YO Irish Malt Whiskey
To start with, we have arguably Bushmills’ most famous offering. This whiskey is triple-distilled for extra smoothness, and made from 100 per cent malted barley. As the name suggests, it’s matured for at least 10 years in hand-selected bourbon barrels and sherry butts.
The result delivers a zesty freshness on the nose as citrus fruit notes intertwine with the distinctive Bushmills honey character. On the palate, it delivers layers of mellow sweetness, marrying vanilla, milk chocolate, and fresh honeysuckle with delicate traces of toasted oak. This leads to a crisp finish that dwindles gently, leaving you wanting another sip.
Serving recommendation: Neat, over ice, or in a classic Old Fashioned.
Bushmills 16YO Irish Malt Whiskey
Next up, we have something a little more distinguished. Bushmills’ 16-year-old is (surprise, surprise) aged for 16 years in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon-seasoned casks. Then, it spends several months in port wine barrels. This unique maturation process gives the single malt distinct notes of ripe fruits, nuts, and spice. It also adds an enticing hint of ruby redness to its hue.
After pouring, the first thing you’ll notice is the big aromas of treacle toffee intermingling with sweet spice accents of cinnamon and nutmeg. A sip reveals exceptional depth and complexity via robust flavours of caramelised peaches and mango alongside notes of toasted almonds and walnuts. A layered, lingering finish follows with notes of concentrated berries that lead to silky milk chocolate.
Serving recommendation: Neat or over ice.
Bushmills 21YO Irish Malt Whiskey
Finally, the genius of Bushmills 21 Year Old marries single malts matured for at least 19 years in hand-selected Oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels, then finished in Madeira casks for a further two years. This unusually long finishing period allows the whiskey to mellow, mature, and pick up deeper notes of ripe fruit and dried raisins from the fortified Portuguese wine casks.
From the glass, rich aromas of fresh honey and ripe summer fruits emanate, combined with delicate notes of sweet hazelnuts and cacao. The palate reveals deep, rich flavours of dark chocolate and toffee, followed by notes of vanilla sweetness, toasted nuts, and an ever-so-subtle hint of charred oak. Long and gentle, the finish provides a satisfying conclusion to this rewarding flavour journey.
Serving recommendation: Neat is the only way to go.
Take Your Pick
If you can’t rely on the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world to deliver, who can you rely on? No matter which Bushmills whiskey sounds like your cup of tea, there’s no better way to celebrate with Dad this Father’s Day. To misquote the Irish, just give it a craic.
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