Bushmills 12 yr Single Malt Irish Whiskey 750ml

The Old Bushmills Distillery has held a royal license to distill since 1608, making it the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, though the site's founding date is generally recognized as 1784. Set on the County Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, Bushmills has built its identity around single malt whiskey made entirely from malted barley, a point of distinction from the blended styles more common elsewhere in Ireland. The 12 Year Old was introduced under master blender Alex Thomas as a replacement for the brand's longtime 10 Year Old, quickly earning recognition including a spot among Whisky Advocate's top whiskeys.

Bushmills 12 Year Old is triple distilled from 100% malted barley in traditional copper pot stills, then matures for a minimum of eleven years across former Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon barrels. Before bottling, the whiskey spends an additional six to nine months finishing in Marsala wine casks sourced from Sicily, a step that layers in dried fruit and nutty richness on top of the base spirit. The whiskey is then blended and proofed using spring water drawn from the River Bush, finishing at 40% ABV without chill filtration, which helps preserve its fuller texture.

The nose is floral and fruit-forward, with pear, pineapple, and a distinct nutty malt character leading into dried apricot and brown sugar. On the palate, dark chocolate and candied orange peel meet hazelnut and gentle spice, all carried on a smooth, silky texture. The finish is warm and lingering, closing on toasted oak and a last touch of sherried sweetness. That richness makes it a strong match for a Boulevardier, and its dried fruit notes also come through nicely in a whiskey old fashioned.