Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Released in December of 2022, Bushmills Irish Whiskey 30 Year Old Rare Cask is the third expression to come from Bushmills Rare Cask series, which launched in 2020 with their 28 Year Cognac Cask followed by their 29 Year Old Single Malt: Pedro Ximenez Cask released in May of 2022.
The over 400-year-old Old Bushmills Distillery, located in Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, has the distinction of being the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Although there wasn’t a dedicated brick-and-mortar space dedicated to distilling, in 1608 Sir Thomas Phillipps began establishing brand awareness of ‘Bushmills’ whiskey after being granted a license by King James I to distill whiskey in the area. The Old Bushmills Distillery was eventually founded in 1784 by Hugh Anderson, who formed the first Bushmills Whiskey Company, becoming its first officially registered owner.
Bushmills Irish Whiskey 30 Year Old Rare Cask is a rare single malt Irish whiskey that’s been aged since October 31, 1991. Prior to its second maturation in ‘first fill’ Madeira wine casks, it was aged for 13 years and four months in three hand-selected bourbon and sherry casks. Consisting of a mash bill of 100% Irish barley, this single malt was triple distilled in traditional Irish copper pot stills and was bottled without chill filtration at cask strength on September 7, 2022.
The water used to cut their whiskey comes from a tributary of the River Bush, which is sourced from the Antrim Hills and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, the name Bushmills is a combination of the river itself and the local barley mills, which resided close to the 33.5 mile river, that initially supplied the distillery.
According to the distillery’s official tasting notes, on the nose is “an enticing bouquet of roasted walnuts, creme brulee, and baked peaches [that] mix with sweet notes of hazelnut and orange marmalade, a richness and complexity that only a whiskey of this age can offer,” and “An intense, explosive palate with soft texture that reveals depth after each sip, the whiskey begins with fresh pralines and toffee, before revealing sweet and dark chocolate, orange peel, and molasses, and finishing long and luxuriously with sweet vanilla bean and mocha flavors.”
Tasting Notes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey 30 Year Old Rare Cask
Vital Stats: 98 proof (49% ABV), mash bill: 100% Irish barley, 750 ml bottle SRP $999.99.
Appearance: Chestnut/oloroso sherry.
Trending Stories
Nose: Bright character notes on the nose deliver whispers of pine, orange citrus, lush green grass, and fresh raw walnuts.
Palate: On the palate are buttery smooth notes of molasses, cool green grass, hints of brown sugar, soft spice notes, subtle red berry and apricot sweetness.
Latest News