One of only two core products in the Bushmills range that is a blended Irish Whiskey, Bushmills Black Bush has a higher single malt component and uses a greater amount of whiskey matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks when compared to the Bushmills Original – the other blended Irish whiskey from Bushmills. This whisky is a blend of Irish single malt married with a sweet, small-batch grain whiskey, and then matured in ex-Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks.
Bushmills distillery is based in a small town of the same name in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and situated remarkably close to the famous Giant’s Causeway. Bushmills has the oldest distillery licence in the world, dating back to 1608. This licence was granted by King James I and the distillery has over 400 years of history. Bushmills also has the longest continually used logo. In 1784, the pot still logo was introduced in order to celebrate the formal registration of the distillery and this is still in use today.
The ownership of Bushmills has changed hands in recent years moving from Pernod Ricard to Diageo and then to Proximo Spirits in 2014. The distillery expanded in 2023 when a new distillery named The Causeway Distillery opened next door to the Old Bushmills distillery. This doubled distillation capacity to nine million litres a year. Bushmills is the third biggest selling Irish whiskey after Jameson and Tullamore D.E.W.
Their whiskies are all triple distilled in the traditional Irish way and the extensive core range is a mixture of single malts and blends – The Original and Black Bush both blends, aged single malts 10-, 14-, 16- and 21 years old and extra aged 25 and 30 years old . These are supplemented by a number of cask finishes and special limited releases that are bottled as part of the Causeway Collection.
Bushmill Black Bush is bottled at 40% ABV and 70cl bottles are readily available at grocery and specialist retailers for around £30. You will also find limited edition versions of this available in travel retail, so worth looking out for next time you go through an airport.
Our Tasting Notes
This whiskey is bright gold. It has an upfront candy sweetness and the bright juicy fruitiness of an autumn orchard with notes of apples, pears, and rich ripe blackberries. A yeasty malty character is present which builds on this to give aromas of apple crumble with whipped cream and cinnamon. Also present are notes of dried hay, blanched almonds, and hint of marmalade.
On the palate this whiskey feels light and fresh at first but deepens as the whiskey builds towards a spicy oaky finish. Soft and fudgy flavours of baked apples with caramel and cinnamon, and a hint of spicy nutmeg kick things off. Then come sugary sultanas and raisins with nutty notes of praline candy all wrapped up with a creamy texture. An underlying warming spiciness and bittersweet maltiness sits in the background. It is lovely, soft and expressive.
The finish allows the sweet apple character to linger while building up some sweet spices, plus hints of bitter walnut and a mouth watering oakiness. This turns the sweeter elements in a more savoury and drying direction.
What’s The Verdict?
The smooth creaminess that this whiskey delivers in undeniably Irish. However the higher percentage of maturation in ex-Oloroso sherry cask adds extra depth. Some richer and more seasonally Autumnal characters allow Black Bush to carve out its own unique place in the blended Irish whiskey category. Given the affordable price tag this whiskey delivers more than many others for that money. We would definitely recommend this expression to single malt drinkers who want to have a delicious blended whiskey in their drinks cabinet that is easy drinking and very moreish.
