Bushmills The Original is the entry point to the ever-expanding domestic core range of the famous Irish distillery and forms the cornerstone of that range. It is the largest selling of all Bushmills expressions. The Original is a blend of Bushmills triple distilled single malt and Irish single grain whiskey. The recipe is said to date back over a century to before the Prohibition era, which ran in the United States from 1920 to 1933, and sees the spirits matured for a minimum of five years in American oak casks.
Bushmills has the oldest distillery licence in the world, dating back to 1608. Its distillery is based in a town of the same name in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and not far for the famous Giant’s Causeway. 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 increasing Bushmills distillation capacity to a whopping 9 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.
Bushmills The Original is bottled at 40% ABV and is widely available – you will find it in convenience store, supermarkets and specialist whisky retailers alike. A bottle should cost between £25-£30. It is also available in a miniature 5cl size if you fancy just sampling it (this should cost around £5) and in many bars and pubs.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is pale straw gold and the nose is sweet, fruity and malty. Aromas of butterscotch, fairground toffee apple and milk chocolate mingle with vanilla and dried grass/ hay. The distinct maltiness sits in the background and is never far away with hints of tart green apple and ripe peach accentuated it.
On the palate this whiskey is soft, sweet and malty. Notes of runny honey, vanilla and white chocolate combine well with sultana, butterscotch and baked apple. Hints of ripe peach, cocoa nibs and coffee grounds sit underneath. Then comes the malt and dried grass from the nose. This adds structure and depth, and is reminiscent of fresh oatmeal cookies and hay.
Further grassiness comes through towards the end but feels fresher and more herbal – think of hints of coriander or sage here. The finish is slightly drying, especially once the sweet and fruity elements fade. This allows a hint of woody spice (especially cinnamon) to evolve. A late sugary hit appears right at the very end.
What’s The Verdict?
The Original offers great value for money. There is clearly some young spirit present that gives the whisky a vibrant and refreshing edge but otherwise it is light, crisp, sweet and pretty good. It is expressive, especially when considering the price, and would be a good introduction to Irish whiskey for someone. Would also be great in a simple cocktail such as a highball or as the base for an Irish coffee.
