Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Bushmills. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
The watchwords that immediately come to mind when thinking of Bushmills are history and legacy. However, at the time of this 12-year-old single malt whiskey release, Bushmills is demonstrating that the company isn’t afraid of progress, either. Not only is this offering the first “expression to officially debut the brands’ new, elevated bottle and packaging…” this whiskey also comes to market under the newly appointed Master Blender, Alex Thomas.
According to Bushmills, Alex is the first female Master Blender in not only Bushmills’ history, but that of Irish whiskey, as well. Reflecting on this whiskey release, Alex said, “Bushmills 12-Year-Old is an exceptional malt that speaks to our rich brand history and expertise, and I am thrilled that it will be released to the United States for the first time while under my care as master blender.”
The 100 percent unpeated malted barley in this 12-year-old release is triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills. The new-make whiskey is then matured for a minimum of 11 years in Oloroso sherry butts and bourbon barrels before being blended, and finished for six to nine months in Marsala barriques (wine barrels). For those unfamiliar with Marsala, it is a fortified wine (meaning a distilled spirit has been added) and it is primarily produced in the area surrounding Marsala, in Sicily, Italy. Finally, and in keeping with Bushmills’ history, the distillery draws spring water from the River Bush and uses that to cut the whiskey to proof.
The Bushmills distillery is located on the Northern coast of Ireland in the village of Bushmills, on the banks of the River Bush. To paint a mental picture of this beautiful corner of the world, imagine: rocky cliffs, green pastures, storms, waves, wind (gales) and rain. Now, focus that down to the distillery and think, time – hundreds of years, in fact. In 1608, the King of England granted the Governor of Bushmills a license to distill, and thus a metaphorical stake was planted in the Irish soil, establishing the oldest whiskey tradition in the world. However, it wasn’t until 1784 that the Old Bushmills Distillery Company was officially established as a distillery. And with one more jump through time, we are fast forwarding to the present when Bushmills is now a Jose Cuervo-owned distillery.
Tasting Notes: Bushmills 12-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Vital Stats: 80 proof (40% ABV). Mash bill: 100% unpeated malted barley. 750ml. SRP: $59.99 Available in wide release across the United States, beginning in February 2022. Bushmills, Ireland.
Appearance: The whiskey’s color is a pleasant copper without pushing into the slightly darker territory of bronze, it reminds me of damp wheat straw and candied orange peel.
Nose: A polite, but still reasonably robust affair with savory wafts of dried fruit, spices and apple.
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Palate: Initially soft and restrained, but wait a few beats, and there is a nice ramp up to a lingering warm spice. A second pour into my NEAT glass and another sip definitely reinforced the whiskey’s creamy start and highlighted pleasant, caramelized sugar.
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