Irish

Bushmills The Rare Casks Limited Release No. 4

$2,600

OVERALL
RATING

Whiskey Review: Bushmills The Rare Casks Limited Release No. 4

by Nino Kilgore-Marchetti
June 27, 2024

Tasting Notes:

About:

An Irish single malt first aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry butts, followed by 17 years in new American oak. Bottled at 45.6% ABV and priced at $2,600.

Appearance:

A lovely orange-amber color is in the glass, showcasing moderate legs and excellent viscosity.

Nose:

Fresh apricots and green pears jump out on the nose here, reflecting a fruit-forward smell. This is supplemented by baking bread, a small amount of oak, red licorice, chocolate brownies, and a nice intertwining of vanilla and caramel.

Palate:

Juicy and bursting with beautiful cinnamon and great pear flavors, this whiskey’s play on the palate delivers excellent notes of baked bread, creme brulee, panna cotta, marzipan, oak, a nudge of vanilla, and apple pie.

Finish:

The finish is simple and smooth, delivering great flavor and consistency as it wraps things up in a moderate amount of time.

Comments:

Thirty-one years in three cask types have done this Irish single malt well, with an excellent range of flavors and ease of drinking. It is not a cheap whiskey to purchase, but if you can at least find a pour of it at a bar, it is suggested that you try it.

Bushmills The Rare Casks Limited Release No. 4 review — We review Bushmills The Rare Casks Limited Release No. 4, an Irish single malt first aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry butts, followed by 17 years in new American oak. (image via Bushmills)

Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.

Bushmills, founded in 1784, holds a long-standing legacy as one of the oldest distilleries in the world, particularly in Ireland. It is known far and wide for its focus on using 100% malted barley to make triple-distilled whiskey, delivering to its fanbase expressions known for a smooth taste.

The range of Bushmills expressions is global, with offerings at different price points, age statements, and cask mixes to satisfy almost everyone. One of their higher-end lineups is the Rare Casks series, which focuses on higher-age statements for people aged 28 to 31.

What’s in the bottle

Today, we are reviewing Bushmills The Rare Casks Limited Release No. 4. Noted as the final installment in the Rare Casks series, it has a 31-year-old age statement. This particular Irish single malt whiskey has been aged in a total of three different distinct casks, starting with 14 years maturing in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry butts. This was followed by an additional 17 years in new American oak casks.

Limited to just 780 bottles and only released in the U.S., this whiskey is bottled at 45.6% and priced at $2,600.

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Nino Kilgore-Marchetti

Nino Kilgore-Marchetti is the founder of The Whiskey Wash, an award winning whiskey lifestyle website dedicated to informing and entertaining consumers about whisk(e)y on a global level. As a whisk(e)y journalist, expert and judge he has written about the subject extensively, been interviewed in various media outlets and provided tasting input on many whiskeys at competitions. He also maintains a large private collection of whiskey from which he continually educates his palate on this brown spirit type.

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