The following article was produced in partnership with Bushmills.
It’s said that the River Bush, which meanders through the town of Bushmills in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, holds a storied connection to the land’s history and fantastical spirit. Flowing from the basalt-rich volcanic soils of the Antrim Plateau, its waters have long been revered by this region’s locals, not just for its purity, but for its crucial role in producing each and every drop of Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
“Well, if we think of the Giant’s Causeway, right on our doorstep, the influence that the Master Blenders and Master Distillers have taken over the generations, of the landscape that is here, is at the heart of our spirit,” Alex Thomas, Bushmills’ Master Blender told DMARGE.
Its quality is in every drop, in every pour, that you make of Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey. It’s about the dedication that our distillery has to ensure that perfection is there. We are never rushed at Bushmills, because we want to ensure that every drop we release is perfect.” Let’s toast to that this St Patrick’s Day.
Bushmills’ 10 year old expression is the perfect example of this brand’s unwavering commitment to pursuing perfection. This triple-distilled single malt, aged in a combination of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks for a minimum of 10 years, is a confident, fruit-forward whiskey that has since become one of their most popular releases – which in a catalogue brimming with world-class expressions, is no small feat. It’s abundantly clear why Bushmills Irish Whiskey has been coined the pioneers of smooth single malt.
Immediately, the nose greets you with a bouquet of ripe orchard fruits like green apple, pear, and a hint of citrus, which give way to the signature vanilla and honey notes of Bushmills. On the palate, you taste the expertly captured balance of sweet and spicy, with the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg combining with toffee, chocolate and dried fruits. The finish offers a rare complexity that feels both familiar and exciting – the perfect embodiment of Bushmills’ drive that nurtures innovation and builds upon tradition.
“The heritage in the past and what we have created over the last four centuries is incredibly important to ensure that every drop of Bushmills spirit is exactly the same – it’s what we will always stay true to,” Alex Thomas told DMARGE.
As the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, dating back to 1608, Bushmills’ age-old practices remain integral to its identity in the pursuit of perfection. Yet what has continued to set this distillery apart is not just its preservation of tradition but its embrace of innovation.
From the distillery’s dedication to precision and craftsmanship, the brand’s connection to golf becomes immediately clear, both of which embody the pursuit of perfection. You only have to take a short drive from the Old Bushmills Distillery to the Royal Portrush Golf Club to see this unique perspective for yourself.
This April, two lucky DMARGE readers are set to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Irish whiskey and golf adventure to Bushmills, the heart of Single Malt Irish Whiskey and tee off on the same fabled greens that will host The Open Championship this July. After their round, they will raise a glass to Bushmills’ unwavering commitment to perfection.
As for the rest of us, this St. Patrick’s Day, there’s no better way to celebrate than to raise a glass of Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt and say “Sláinte!”
