Bushmills just released the oldest Irish single malt whiskey ever

The Bushmills Distillery just started a 46-year expression in a limited edition called “Secrets of the Busch river”. The Irish whiskey in hyper-age is nothing new these days, but this new expression is the oldest Irish single malt whiskey ever released. The distillation of Bushmill can be attributed to 1608, and it is reasonable that the oldest licensed distillery on the planet now holds the title for oldest Irish single malt.

This publication also takes place at a time when Irish whiskey and high-end spirits form the general industry trends. The Irish Whiskey category recorded 13% by 13% In the case of exports last year, consumers continue to show interest in ultra-premium spirits, which is 4.8% of the overall market in 2024.

A short story of the oldest distillery in the world

In 1608 King James I gave a license to distilling whiskey in County Antrim. While the name Bushmills was only officially established in 1784, the whiskey production was already a long tradition in the area. In the past four centuries, Bushmills have survived the industrial desolation, wars and the ban. Even in view of the most important tax implications, Bushmills never changed its product style: triple whiskey with a malt.

The malt tax was an important turning point for the whiskey production of the 18th century in Ireland and Scotland. In 1725 the crown was introduced and increased the cost of malt barley significant and forced many distillers to adapt to their recipes by using non -painted grains. This shift played a key role in the development of lighter, corn-based whiskey styles and was an exclusive factor for creation and prevalence of (which is known as today) Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Despite the financial burden, Bushmills remained obliged to do the traditional 100% painting barley whiskey.

A number of economic and socio -political challenges navigated throughout the entire 20th century. In the 1920s, when the American ban -a big blow to Irish whiskey exports -the director Wilson Boyd continued to hold the Bushmill warehouses full. When the US market was reopened, records indicate that Bushmills 1 of 2, maybe 3 Irish whiskey distillery was still in operation.

Bushmills after the Second World War experienced a change of ownership that was first under the control of Isaac Wolfson and was then included in Irish Distiller in 1972, which marked a turning point in the consolidation of Irish whiskey production. Sales increased in the 1950s and 1960s and even three new products started from 1983 to 2001 during Brown Spirits's global market shift.

The brand is now in possession of Proximo Spirits and has significantly expanded its line -up in recent years and opened the new Distillerie Causeway to increase production in 2023.

Bushmills under the master blender Alex Thomas

Alex Thomas moved to Bushmills in 2004 and became Master -Blender in 2021. During her tenure in the distillery, she was responsible for many of the innovative products introduced in recent years. When asked about the “secret of the river bush”, which an unusual explanation of 46 years, said Thomas: “The barrels will tell you when it is time. We let every barrel say when it was finished and this whiskey told me it was finished. “Hyper aged products like this must be carefully made to ensure that the whiskey does not exceed the turning point in an overnight taste profile.

Despite the extreme age of this whiskey, the heart of the Busmill 'DNA is present in this expression. “We would like to make sure that our house style stays in all of our whiskeys,” repeated Thomas. “I know that it is the same aromas we experience in a whiskey that has spent 46 years in a barrel.”

The barrels that had aged this expression were in a central place in one of the first traditional warehouses of Bushmills. “The run was on the side. Our cooperatives about the generations took care of it. Each of them played a role in the search for these barrels – and prompted each drop of fluid to give us as much as possible. It is this care and care that we pay to the barrels and liquid so that it can be the best that it can be. “

About Bushmills 46 years

Bushmills 46 -year -old “Secrets of the River Bush” is located in a handmade hexagonal presentation box. The complicated topographical contours of the walnut case – if necessary, appreciate the water source of the Bushmills – the river bush.

This publication was made from just two Oloroso Sherry Bubs from Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain. These two barrels were filled in 1978 – if the distillery was only 370 years old – and for 46 years in the middle of Bushmills' legendary warehouse 8 tires before filling in bottles with a natural barrel strength of 46.3%. Due to the extreme evaporation after almost half a century aging, there was only enough whiskey for 300 bottles worldwide.

Bushmills 46 tasting grades

This whiskey appears mahogany in the glass and is quite exciting. The deep, rich color is striking.

In the nose I find notes of dried apricots, plums, mature white peach, tree bark, papaya, chocolate, almond paste, orange peel, beeswax and a touch of root beer. After a few minutes, a bit of maltness still spies through all of these fruits. Sirrupartigen raisins and date notes appear in a large way with water, but an unexpected wattbonbon sweetness does not hold the nose too rich and decadent. This is a joy for the nose and has developed considerably over time.

A variety of tropical fruits start with dried mango, coconut and more papaya notes on the palate. I also find notes of cherry, more plums, clove, white pepper, fresh ginger root, Belgian waffle and raisin. With water, the maturation of the sherry barrel really shines, with grades made of chocolate fondant, sugar plums, vanilla ice cream, much more spice and cherry compote.

The finish is dryer and more sharp than the palate would suggest. It is also the first time that a wonderful old oak is going on. Other grades are milk chocolate, various dried fruits, nutmeg, caramel and carnation. Water brings tropical fruits back to the finish and the honey sweetness is reinforced. The oak gets a bit sharper with water, but the additional fertility keeps everything beautiful.

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Something very special happens when Irish whiskey is longer than 25 years old. Triple distilled whiskey often leads to a cleaner new make spirit, and in the case of Irish whiskey, the result is an empty canvas, in which Brenner can take the taste profile in many different directions.

The careful selection of the “secrets of the river bush” leads to a Bushmill product that I tried beforehand. The depth of the taste is amazing and carefully balanced in a way that seems almost impossible in view of the age. Irish whiskey continues its revival on the market and “Secrets of the River Bush” is a shining example of what Irish whiskey can be with a little patience and mindful production.

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