Bushmills’ sumptuous magnum opus spins aromas of sultana, brown sugar, walnut oil, date slice, chocolate-covered cranberries, leather gloves, and a hint of espresso. The dark, crepuscular mystique continues in the syrupy mouthfeel redolent of forest honey, banana bread, nuts, browned butter, sultana, date, and blackberry. Utterly beguiling, the Madeira finish works wonders here, right through to the last moments of the smooth, sweet finish. A must-try for all.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2018)

The cognac-cask finish finesses the intensity and concentration of the lush fruity character of this whisky. A complex interplay of peach, apricot, apple, pineapple, lemon zest, thick-cut marmalade, oak, faint spices, and dried fruit on the nose. A thick velvety mouthfeel of sweet orange, grapefruit, and lime sweeps to a climax of peppercorn and clove, then it abates with dried apricot, papaya, and marzipan-wrapped Battenberg cake. Exceptional! (800 bottles) Collectibles

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Winter 2020)

After 17 years in the PX cask, the influence on flavor is irrefutable. Dates, figs, dried vine fruit, mixed peel, and rich sherry notes on the nose followed by black cherry, prune juice, licorice, and baking spices. A surprisingly sweet palate begins with cherry chocolate and raspberry backed by peppercorn and clove, with a syrupy mid-palate of stewed rhubarb and plum and a greater oak presence as the sweetness fades. (500 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2022)

Ireland’s technical regulations provide flexibility with the type of wood used for aging, hence this seriously aromatic whiskey with piquant citrus, lemon, fresh ginger root, sponge cake, apple peel, sour cherry, and dry spices of pepper, cumin, and whole nutmeg. Delicious citrus peel, rich honey, vanilla pod, ground ginger, banana, and grapefruit, but no matter how hard it tries, it keeps shifting back to the spices. More experiments with these barrels, please! (12,000 bottles) £74

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

Deep amber color. Richly flavored aroma, with notes of toffee, raisins, dates, honeyed malt, and demerara rum. Medium in body and richly textured. Toffee & rum-like flavors entertain the palate first, followed by chocolate covered raisins and dates. The whiskey then begins to dry out mid-palate, as the 21 years in oak becomes evident, contributing notes of vanilla and subtle mint. Dry finish with lingering notes of oak and polished leather. This is a delicious whiskey that should appeal to both the Irish and Scotch whisk(e)y drinker. Aged initially in sherry and bourbon casks, the whiskey was then finished in Madeira casks. It is complex in flavor and very well balanced. It is one of the best Irish whiskeys on the market. This whiskey has been a long time comin', but it was worth the wait.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2003)

This is what the standard Bushmills Malt 10 year old should taste like. A classic Irish whiskey nose. Deliciously sweet creamy notes of vanilla, marshmallow, honey, powdered sugar, and polished oak. Faint tropical fruit notes emerge from time to time. Very clean on the palate, with a dry, bourbon-like finish. Those extra few years in wood, along with being non-chill-filtered, add richness, depth, and complexity.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2004)

Bushmills has developed considerable experience in marsala cask finishing, so this release marks a distinctive new addition to the spectrum of flavors of their core range. Dark, sweet, juicy aromas of plum, damson jam, clove, peppercorn, citrus, mixed peel, grilled peach, sultana, and walnut oil precede a full-bodied whiskey with flavors of date loaf, sweet fig, chocolate orange, oak tannins, black tea, walnut, sweet wine, and runny honey. Editor's Choice

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2022)

Sweet honey daubed on ripe plums, an abundance of barley notes, black cherry, and a smattering of exotic spices. Juicy notes of cherry, plum, peach, and strawberry, with undertones of peppery spice. The flavor fills out with lovely malty notes, Quaker Oats, and vanilla. The port cask has really complemented the Bushmills character, and this second edition in the Steamship collection is the best in the series to date. (£99; Global Travel Retail only)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Spring 2018)

Distinctive for its classic three-wood maturation profile, this has complex layers of dark fruits to unravel on the nose: Dried cranberry and blackberry mingle with walnut and black pepper. It’s a satisfyingly smooth and spicy number amid the flavorsome tussle of port and sherry elements in the mouth. Damson and other plums occupy the mid-palate; it’s enjoyably nutty and soaked in delicious portwood flavors.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

This is just a delight; a real flavor giver. A wave of honey sweeps along aromas of creamy vanilla, white peach, fresh citrus peel, white pepper, cinnamon stick, and milk chocolate. It starts delicately with melon, light grape, and vanilla, swells with citrus acidity and creamy caramel, ramping up to toffee, darker fruits, chocolate, Fruit Pastilles, and a little oak. The finish is mouth-clinging, with vanilla and spice.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2018)

Irish whiskey and rum aren't a common combination, but Bushmills makes a strong case for it with a 19 year old whiskey finished in a rum cask. The rum's influence is clearly present on the nose, with brown sugar that supports Bushmills’ toasted malt. On the palate the rum's dark molasses complements Bushmills’ chocolate malty goodness. Everything balances out in the mid-palate with the addition of oak, which carries through to a semi-dry finish. Superb integration of unlikely cask mates.  (Park Avenue Liquor only)

Reviewed by: Geoffrey Kleinman (Summer 2014)

A blend of three different types of whiskey -- malt whiskey, grain whiskey, and a third component which is said to be a malt whiskey produced from crystal malt. Brewers and homebrewers know crystal malt well, a slightly caramelized version of malted barley. Its rich texture suggests a decent malt content for a blend. Layers of sweetness (honeyed vanilla, rummy molasses, toasted marshmallow) are balanced by toasted nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate. Very dynamic and with plenty of grit. Smartly bottled at 46%.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Fall 2008)

This all-Ireland blend is resplendent in rich oloroso sherry aromas, whole peppercorn, concentrated raspberry coulis, and blueberry notes as the triple-distilled single malt component lets the fruits shine. Its flavors start in a tight embrace with sherry fruit, then break open expansively with plum, cherry, raisin, black grape, cinnamon, spices, and chocolate cigarillos. Now, if you’re thinking you want this in your next Old Fashioned, you’re probably right.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2021)

An interesting alternative to a traditional Irish whiskey (kind of reminds me of the rum-casked Springbanks and the Glenfiddich Havana Reserve). Flavors of toffee, light molasses and caramelized sugar throughout, with a hint of lime and spice. Chewy in texture, too. There’s a nice interplay between the sweet rum notes and the dry oak spices, with the oak emerging the victor on the finish.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2004)

The fruitiest of the three. Notes of ripe fruit, candied almonds, treacle and toffee. Dry, spicy oak notes on the finish. Rich and thick in texture, but not to the point of being cloying. And while the sherry notes are prominent throughout, they do not dominate like many other Scotch and Irish whiskeys. It’s well balanced and very enjoyable. Save this one for after dinner.

Reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2004)

Are you a bourbon lover with an untapped curiosity for Irish whiskey? I have a job for you. Try nosing out the cinnamon, molasses, sultanas, tarte Tatin, and sweet crème brûlée on Colum Egan’s young creation aged in first-fill bourbon casks. A brash combination of spice, cinnamon, cooked apple and pear, caramel popcorn, bitter vanilla, and spun sugar, which finishes with wood char, burnt sugar, and toffee apple.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2017)

Jaffa orange, flowers, hard candies, rose water, and light spices make a rather muted offering. Fortunately there’s a sweet, malty mouthful of fudge, orange shred, gingerbread, and candied orange slices, with a nibble of peppercorn spices and a finish of clove-studded orange. Tasty and well-balanced, salvaging the less than inspiring nose. (Travel Retail)

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Summer 2019)

This Peaky Blinders tie-in was aged for a minimum of 3 years. The nose is punchy, with lemon, sharp apple, peppercorn spices, jalapeño, and herbal notes. Lightly structured with honey, vanilla fudge, lemon, citrus, and herbs, then a dust-up between pepper and spice. This young upstart has sufficient force to take over your cocktails while you binge watch the final season.

Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Fall 2022)