Bushmills 10 year old review

Bushmills 10 year old Irish whiskey comes from the Norhern Ireland based Old Bushmills Distillery. This triple distilled whiskey from one oldest whiskey distilleries in the world (licensed in 1608) has been matured in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Oloroso Sherry casks, mostly in Ex-Bourbon.

I must say, this experience indeed strengthens the fact, that Bushmills offers some good variety in its range. They manage to offer some good blended whiskey in Black Bush and great variations in single malts: a well balanced and cost-efficient 10yo, an unusual but great 16yo and the 21yo premium malt, which really tastes like a high-class whiskey should taste.

No need for TRADING PLACES with whiskey this good

This truly is a “bang for the buck” whiskey, one of the best ones out there. Guaranteed to please a wide range of audience for sure. Smooth and balanced dram, with some nice character as well.

Cheap, but sophisticated – the movie Trading Places comes to mind. This whiskey plays the both parts of the film, it suits well for the poor and for the rich. And it’s being better than the actual film, if I may say so.

Matured in:

Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Oloroso Sherry casks

Colour: Gold

Nose: Sweet and fruity, hints of eucalyptus in the start. Toffee is the strongest note, hints of floral notes. Bourbon casks clearly dominate. Water brings out cinnamon and fruitcake notes.

Taste: Creamy toffee hits nicely at the start and kinda dominates until the very end. Sweet and little bit floral and extremely fruity. Water adds spices in the mix and surprisingly makes this dram work even better.

Finish: Lingering finish, which is very smooth, yet crispy at times. Sweet and smooth toffee is present, with hints of honey. Oak tannins hit very much in the aftertaste, addition of water make them even stronger.

Balance: Good whisky, superb when thinking about the price (got it with 25€!). In nice balance, offering no big surprises, yet being steady and good all the way. Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible gave this one a stunning 92,5 points in 2013.