Origin: Antrim (Northern Ireland)
Type: Irish Single Malt Whiskey
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry Oloroso and ex-Caribbean Rum
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Casa Cuervo
Average price: € 60.00
Official website: bushmills.com
Vote: 75/100
A limited bottling of which very little can be found online, unfortunately at the minimum alcohol content and aged in ‘selected’ Caribbean Rum casks, a decidedly unusual influence for this Irish classic which therefore tries to follow the trends in the whiskey world.
There’s a recent addition to their core range with the same finishing but no age statement, which I really enjoyed a lot: will it be the same with this one?
Tasting notes
On the nose the influence of Rum is very clear, caramelised and acidulous cane sugar arrogantly overpowering ripe fruit (apple, banana, papaya, pineapple), sultanas, liquorice, aniseed, hazelnuts, lemon. The blanket is really thick, allowing the rest of the aromas to seep through with difficulty.
Wood spices and again the influence of Rum float on a rather watery consistency, with a hint of ginger, but this time the aromas take up more space, declined in red and ripe fruits (with a prevalence of apple and plum), liquorice, chinotto, rhubarb, dried fruit. Woody dryness in the background.
Medium-long, dry, bitterish finish of hazelnut, liquorice, citrus, sultanas.
Between the low alcohol content and the influence of the Rum casks, the end result is a bit of a mess and quite inconstant. Perhaps a few more degrees would have helped to support the aromas, give more body and substance to put the pieces back in place. Perhaps.