Bushmills releases 16 and 21yo expressions
Jose Cuervo-controlled Irish whiskey producer Bushmills has launched a small batch duo of 16-year-old and 21-year-old single malts, matured and finished in a range of cask types.
Bushmills 16 Year Old single malt has been aged in a combination of both ex-Bourbon casks and oloroso Sherry butts before being vatted and married for nine months in large Port pipes.
The whiskey is described as “smooth and sweet” with a mature taste “beyond its years”. Given tasting notes include honeyed nutty maltiness, toasted wood and sweet Port wine.
Meanwhile Bushmills 21 Year Old single malt has spent at least 19 years in ex-Bourbon casks and oloroso Sherry butts, with a further two years then spent marrying in Madeira wine casks.
The resulting “indulgent” whiskey offers “depth, richness and complexity” with notes of “wood and raisin, toffee sweetness, soft spices with hints of vanilla, dark chocolate, mint and leather”.
“To craft malts of this age and quality calls for all our expertise and knowledge,” said Colum Egan, Bushmills master distiller.
“By carefully nurturing a small number of casks in our warehouses so that they age in the optimal conditions, we can draw layers of exquisite flavours from the wood, ensuring they are perfectly balanced with the unique distillery character of the unique Bushmills spirit made from 100% malted Irish barley.
“There is strong demand for Irish single malts, so we’re delighted to release these rare expressions for the ultra-premium end of the Irish whiskey category. Bottled at 40% ABV, they are both limited editions and will be available only from specialist independent retailers and on-trade outlets.”
The 16yo and 21yo expressions are launched as part of Bushmills’ small-batch annual limited editions.
Earlier this year, Bushmills apprentice Chris Kane become the first person in Ireland to graduate as a cooper in more than 30 years – and the fourth generation of his family to cooper casks for the distillery.
