Named for the mills that produced the barley on the River Bush, the first Bushmills distillery dates back to the 1780s. However, a Royal License was granted to a local landowner to distil whiskey in 1608 – thus legitimizing its claim to be the oldest legal distillery in the world. When Irish Distillers bought the distillery in 1972, it meant they controlled all the Irish whiskey production at that time. The distillery is now owned by Jose Cuervo.
The Bushmills Causeway Collection of the North-Irish distillery is named after the natural World Heritage Site Giant’s Causeway on the North-Coast Irelands. This triple distilled Single Malt began maturation in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon casks for 7.5 years. The whiskey was then transferred into Cognac casks for additional 2.5 years of finishing. This whiskey was bottled without filtration or artificial colouring and the total outturn: 5280 bottles worldwide.
Nose: Both complex and subtle – stone fruits, caramel, vanillans and the sweet smell of fresh wood.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel and the back palate confirms the nose. Summer fruits, honey and tannins from the cognac.
Finish: Short to medium with a hint of dryness carried through from the palate. Chocolate and coffee tastes linger slightly.