Bushmills 21 yr Single Malt Whiskey 750ml
Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, holds the record as the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, with a heritage dating back to 1608. Owned today by Proximo Spirits, the distillery draws its water from Saint Columb's Rill and remains committed to traditional triple distillation using 100% malted barley. The 21 Year Old single malt represents the distillery's flagship expression, produced in limited annual batches and released only in small numbers.
This single malt is first matured for a minimum of 19 years in a combination of hand-selected Oloroso sherry butts and seasoned bourbon barrels. The two batches are then married together and transferred into Madeira casks for a final two years of finishing. This unusually long triple cask program, drawing on the oxidative, caramelized character imparted by the fortified Portuguese wine, gives the whiskey its distinctive depth and complexity, setting it apart from the distillery's younger expressions.
The nose opens with honey, ripe dried fruit, and sweet hazelnuts, layered with warm baking spice and toasted oak. On the palate, dark chocolate, raisins, and toffee unfold alongside vanilla and citrus peel, with the Madeira influence lending a subtle red berry richness. The finish is long and elegant, closing with lingering notes of nutty sweetness and gentle spice.