As festive season well and truly begins to set in – we can assure you It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas is already playing, at full volume, here in our office – you can expect that parties, long lunches and round-the-tree gifting won’t be too far behind.
Rather than toasting to the year gone by with the usual assortment of bourbons and scotches, this Christmas we’re taking a run at Bushmills Irish Whiskey 10-year-old single malt: the “youngest” age-statement whiskey from the world’s oldest licenced whiskey distillery.
Bushmills Irish Whiskey is capable of making this unique drop, which also happens to be a perfect inroad into the world of single malts, and it comes down to one prevailing factor – patience.
It’s a quality present, in literal and figurative guises, in almost every aspect of Bushmills 10-year-old single malt: from the grain and water drawn from the brand’s historic surroundings to the signature triple distillation that’s used to turn these into a delectably smooth dram.
Naturally, a 400-year history is already plenty impressive. But what’s even more noteworthy is how Bushmills makes, matures, and bottles all its whiskeys at a single source – the eponymous Old Bushmills Distillery – in Northern Ireland. Even today.
In an age when beverage companies are becoming increasingly drawn to the shortcuts technology promises, Bushmills holds fast to tradition. And you would too: if your ancestors had been crafting whiskey since the days of Shakespeare.
“We’re still making whiskey the old way,” says Colum Egan, the brand’s Master Distiller. “The way our great-grandparents and their great-grandparents made it.”
Land and the human element count for much of what makes Bushmills, well…Bushmills. Nestled in County Antrim, the Old Bushmills Distillery is bounded by valleys and the sea – in an area so picturesque Northern Irish authorities have classified it an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.
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That beauty weaves its way into every bottle of Bushmills 10-year-old. Most noticeably? In the water used to distil the malted barley spirit forming the backbone of the brand’s smoothly “floral and fruity” house style.
Fun fact: this water’s source is the River Bush. Known for its high magnesium content, it’s not only the lifeblood of Bushmills; but home to a thriving population of Atlantic salmon – a clear indication of the water quality in County Antrim.
Small wonder then, with such a favourable terroir and historic expertise to call on, why this runs rings around your typical ‘gateaway’ single malt. Made with what Alex Thomas, Bushmills’ Master Blender, describes as a philosophy of “unrushed perfection”; all of the malts used here are at least 10 years old.
To this, Thomas and her team introduce further layers of depth, with double-barrel maturation in ex-Bourbon casks and wood seasoned using Oloroso sherry casks.
Above all else, the resulting single malt is as approachable as it is delicious. Lighter and more versatile than many premium Scotch whiskies you’ll find on the market, it can be enjoyed in so many more ways than simply out of a rocks glass.
Bushmills itself encourages dram lovers to drink this “neat, over ice or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous…frozen”. Now there’s a thought – poured fresh from the freezer at your next summer cookout.
But, just in case buzzwords like ‘delicious’ and ‘approachable’ don’t quite resonate, expect a smooth medium-bodied single malt (40% ABV) with a dusting of spice on the finish. Aromas of crisp Fuji apple and pear invite you to breathe deeply, unfurling on the palate into milk chocolate, baked fruit and a creamy vanilla sweetness.
At under $100 a bottle? It might take Bushmills Irish Whiskey the patience of ages to make this stuff – but we urge you get around it in a hurry.
*Editor’s Note: This promotional pricing on Bushmills Irish Whiskey 10-year-old is available until January 2nd, 2025.
This article is sponsored by Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
