Bushmills

Introduction:

Indeed, Irish Whiskey has long deviated from the use of peat and has established a distinctive style that is smooth, light, and fruity. Bushmills Whiskey serves as a prime example of this Irish style, known for its clarity and lightness, achieved through triple pot still distillation.

At Bushmills, there are essentially three main types of Whiskey produced:

1. Original Bushmills: This is a blended Whiskey made up of 55% Single Malt produced at the Old Bushmills Distillery and 45% grain Whiskey sourced from the Midleton Distillery.
2. Black Bush: This blend has a higher percentage of malt, consisting of 80% Single Malt and 20% grain Whiskey. The maturation process involves a combination of approximately 70% Sherry casks and 30% Bourbon casks.
3. Black Bush Single Malt Whiskeys: These are single malts with various ages and maturation histories. The 10-year-old Single Malt is aged for at least a decade in ex-Bourbon casks, resulting in notes of vanilla, honey, and milk chocolate. The 16-year-old Bushmills is matured in ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks in equal volumes, and then finished in Port Wine casks. It offers rich aromas of fruits, spice, and nuts. The Bushmills Single Malt 21-year-old is also a combination of Oloroso and Bourbon casks. After 19 years of maturation, the Whiskey is transferred to Madeira casks for an additional 2 years, resulting in deep aromas of dried fruits, raisins, spice, malt, and nuts.

Bushmills Whiskey is typically chill-filtered and bottled at 40% ABV. Additionally, another product that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in America, is the flavored Bushmills Irish Honey Whiskey.

Production:

Triple distillation is indeed a key aspect of the production process at Bushmills Distillery, contributing to the unique and smooth character of its Whiskey. As the second-largest Irish distillery after Midleton, Bushmills has an impressive annual production capacity of 4.5 million liters. The stills operate seven days a week to meet this demand.

Bushmills Whiskey holds a significant global reputation and is highly sought after. While Jameson and Tullamore Dew are widely recognized and appreciated Irish Whiskey brands, Bushmills also enjoys considerable fame and demand worldwide. Its distinctive flavor profile and the rich heritage of the brand contribute to its popularity among whiskey enthusiasts.

The Mashing:

Bushmills Distillery operates its stainless steel mash tun around the clock, seven days a week. This essential piece of equipment is continuously utilized to combine malted barley and water. The water used in the process is sourced from St. Columb’s Rill, the water source of the distillery. This ensures that each batch of mash is prepared using the pure water from this particular source, which contributes to the distinctive character of Bushmills Whiskey.

The Fermentation:

Unlike traditional wooden washbacks, the washbacks at Bushmills Distillery are made of stainless steel. These stainless steel washbacks are closed vessels, which means they are sealed off. As a result, the carbon dioxide that is produced during fermentation is directed outside the washbacks. This closed system helps control and manage the fermentation process, ensuring proper conditions for the development of flavors and the production of alcohol in the wash.

The Distillation:

The Old Bushmills Distillery features ten large pot stills and six spirit safes, which form the core of their distillation process. These stills are used to perform the triple distillation that is characteristic of Bushmills Whiskey.

At Bushmills, the production process is modern and computerized, incorporating advanced technology to ensure consistency and efficiency. With the aid of automation, the fermentation and distillation processes can be managed by a single individual. This streamlined operation allows for precise control over the production process, from the fermentation of the wash to the distillation of the spirit.

Warehouses:

While there may be some variation in the reported number of warehouses at Bushmills Distillery, it is known that in 2013, three new and modern warehouses were completed. Each of these warehouses has the capacity to hold 20,000 barrels. This expansion significantly increased the distillery’s storage capacity for maturing Whiskey.

Additionally, Bushmills Distillery operates three bottling plants, enabling them to handle large quantities of Whiskey for bottling. Not only is Bushmills Whiskey bottled at these facilities, but they also have the capability to bottle other brands or labels as per the requests of companies like Jameson or others. This flexibility allows them to meet the bottling needs of various brands within the industry.

The History:

The Old Bushmills Distillery has a long history that predates its official registration by Hugh Anderson. Whiskey production had been taking place at the distillery for a significant period before Anderson’s involvement. From its inception, Bushmills focused on pot still distillation using exclusively malted barley, a tradition that continues to this day.

In the mid-19th century, many Irish distilleries began incorporating grain into their production due to the introduction of the malt tax. However, Bushmills remained steadfast in its commitment to its original recipes, maintaining its focus on malted barley.

A major fire struck the Old Bushmills Distillery in 1885, resulting in its destruction. Nevertheless, the distillery was swiftly rebuilt and resumed production shortly thereafter. During the early 20th century, Ireland boasted 37 distilleries. However, only three survived the tumultuous times: Bushmills, Cooley, and Midleton.

In 1972, the Irish Distillers Company gained control over all Irish Whiskey production, including Bushmills. In 1988, the French group Pernod Ricard acquired Irish Distillers. Then, in 2005, Pernod Ricard sold Bushmills to Diageo, a multinational beverage company.

Under Diageo’s management, Bushmills experienced growth and increased production, even during challenging periods when Irish Whiskey faced stiff competition from the rapidly growing Scottish Single Malt Whisky industry. In a surprising move, Diageo sold Bushmills to Mexican spirit giant Jose Cuervo in November 2014. This deal, worth $408 million, also involved Diageo acquiring the remaining 50% ownership of a Tequila brand. The sale of Bushmills marked Diageo’s exit from the Irish Whiskey industry, forfeiting its participation in the resurgence of Irish Whiskey at that time.

Visitor Center:

Bushmills Distillery is located in a region that attracts a significant number of tourists due to the nearby natural wonder known as the “Giant’s Causeway.” This unique geological formation has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1986. As a result, the distillery receives not only whiskey enthusiasts but also many tourists who are exploring Ireland.

In 2012 alone, Bushmills Distillery welcomed approximately 92,000 visitors. While specific figures for more recent years are unavailable, it is likely that the number of visitors has continued to increase.

The distillery offers guided tours, which typically last around 40 minutes. It is advisable to make reservations in advance to secure a spot on the tour.

For those interested in further exploring the range of Bushmills Whiskey, tasting experiences are available. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about the various expressions of Bushmills and typically require prior contact and booking arrangements to participate.

Opening hours

March – October
Mon – Sat 9:15 – 16:45
Sun 12:00 – 16:45
Last tour commences at 16:00, gift shop closes at 16:45

February, November – December
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 16:45
Sun 12:00 – 16:45
Last tour commences at 15:30, gift shop closes at 16:45

Contact

The Old Bushmills Distillery
2 Distillery Rd,Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8XH
+0044 (0) 28 207 33218 | +44 (0) 28 207 33272
visitors.bushmills@bushmills.com

Visitor information:

The Old Bushmills Distillery
2 Distillery Rd
Bushmills
County Antrim
BT57 8XH
North Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)28-20733218
Email: visitors.bushmills@bushmills.com