Bushmills, Northern Ireland- Travel Squire

Ireland’s Pot o’ Gold – Bushmills Irish Whiskey

To experience the spectacular northeast corner of the Emerald Isle is to be enthralled with Gaelic passion. The nation of Northern Ireland is expecting you and you should come expecting the max. You’ll be charmed by County Antrim’s bucolic village of Bushmills and riveted by its two world renowned marvels. The first is the natural wonder known as Giant’s Causeway, 40,000 hexagon shaped volcanic stone pillars that form a totally outer space valley of rock. The second is the national wonder known as Bushmiils Irish Whiskey, six different, delectable whiskey blends and single malts. They are made at the world’s oldest working distillery, the Old Bushmills Distillery.

Why not take a seat here at the bar and drink up the Bushmills legend? It’s got some back story going way back to the 1200’s. It’s said that the first liquor made in Northern Ireland was the work of a new-in-town Frenchman from the Norman Conquest, who had a bootleg thing going on. That little tidbit is a bit hard to fact check. But no one can argue with this fact: Bushmills owns Ireland’s first liquor license. It was granted in 1608 by trendsetting King James I, King of England and Ireland. (He’s also noted for publishing the first Bible in English, a true man of the people.)

A century later, Bushmills was run for a time by smugglers and Irish pirates. Then the distillery burned down in 1885 and was rebuilt by hand and dray horse. Five years after that, the distillery’s own steamship, the S.S. Bushmills, made its maiden voyage across the Atlantic to deliver Bushmills whiskey to Philadelphia and New York, and then headed on to Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Yokohama. (You have to admit, that’s one cool itinerary).

To celebrate the repeal of America’s party pooping Prohibition law in 1933, the biggest shipment ever to leave an Irish port set sail, its cargo entirely Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The party boat sailed from Northern Ireland across the Atlantic, down the St. Lawrence River, and through the Great Lakes, bound for spirits starved Chicago.

Is there some kind of Bushmills mystique, then?

Definitely.

Aren’t you into Irish whiskey yet? Didn’t you know that it’s the fastest growing international spirit? Now, if you’re wondering which Irish whiskey to try, why not go for the oldest and most celebrated? As global Brand Director Sam Reader, puts it, “Today’s consumer wants to know that what they’re buying has real heritage and roots. When they buy Bushmills they know that they’re buying a whiskey with a unique history and provenance.”

What does Bushmills taste like?

Maybe you’re thinking, well, it’s nice to be the oldest distillery in Ireland. But how does this translate to a better drink? Or maybe you’re wondering how Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whiskey. The answer to both questions is: every whiskey, no matter its origin, has its own unique taste. And Bushmills’ flavor is smooth, rich, and thoroughly alluring. Some whiskey wonks liken Bushmills to Scotch for its subtly sweet malt barley flavor. True, Bushmills is the only distillery in Ireland that uses pure malt barley, like Scotch distilleries. But its gentle water is pure County Antrim, and its distilling and blending secrets are its own. Nothing tastes like Bushmills.

What makes it so unique?

This much the Bushmills people will let on. First, the malt barley is air-cured, not dried over a peat fire, so it doesn’t taste smoky. Next it’s ground into a flour, or grist, and mixed with water. The sugars are released, and yeast is added to turn the sugars into alcohol. The liquid is fermented then distilled three times in long-necked copper stills.

Then, the stuff matures in oak casks for at least three years, more for Bushmills single malts, which age for 10, 16, and 21 years. Finally, the spirits from the various casks are blended to produce a consistent and delicious flavor.

Which Bushmills Irish Whiskey is for me?

If you’re not a whiskey drinker, well, you’re about to let that go. You can start with one of Bushmills’ three blends – Bushmills, Bushmills 1608, or Black Bush. I wasn’t into whiskey till I tried Bushmills Black Bush. It’s an elegantly sweet and quietly rich blend and it made me feel that way. See how Black Bush makes you feel, then make up your own story about its name.

What about the single malts?

According to Bushmills Master Blender Helen Mulholland, “Our single malts – 10 Year Old, 16 Year Old, and 21 Year Old – have a great taste. There’s something for everyone in the range, even for those who have never thought about drinking a single malt before.” If you’ve never tried a single malt whiskey perhaps now is the time. And if you catch your bartender nodding in approval, he or she probably knows that Bushmllls 21 Year Old Single Malt was honored as the “World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey” at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in London.

Why am I hearing so much about Bushmills?

Right around now you may have noticed some advertising that goes like this – “Bushmills – Since Way Back.” The concept is a nod to the brand’s stirring history, and to the creative bonding that can happen when friends share a Bushmills Irish Whiskey together. Says one of the campaign’s subjects, Nick Catchdubs, the Brooklyn based deejay and music producer behind Fool’s Gold, “A-Trak, Dust and myself were all friends before we started Fool’s Gold. The Bushmills campaign definitely captures that.” “We hang together, we laugh, we fight … ultimately there is a unique kind of brotherhood at work that really pushes us to do better.” Here’s to being able to brag, “I’ve known Bushmills – since way back. “

Can I visit the disitillery?

Emphatically, yes.

Today, the Old Bushmills Distillery is one of Northern Ireland’s most captivating tourism magnets, hosting 100,000 visitors annually. Some are drawn by the fables surrounding this ancient brand, others by the distillery’s tasting room, and others by the magical process that turns barley into liquid enchantment. Indeed, everything is done right here, “grain to glass,” transforming humble malt barley into the golden elixir that is Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

How do I drink Bushmills Irish Whiskey?

Naturally, straight! (ice or water optional)

What about in a Highball?

Why not! Here’s an update on the classic whiskey & soda, simply called, a Bushmills and Ginger: