Bushmills Black Bush

Grain and honey oat with a mineral finish. Slight tone of dried red fruits

It’s no secret that Irish whiskey is experiencing a remarkably powerful resurgence around the globe. The renaissance is evident in the growth in the number of distilleries – there were only four distilleries in Ireland in 2013, and there are now eighteen distilleries with several more planned. Time to check in with the latest new kid on the block – Bushmills. There’s a cereal foundation to the aroma, with layered toffee and butterscotch. The sherry cask maturation is noticeable too but becomes particularly pronounced after a while in the glass. The sweet malt strikes the palate first, followed by a warm, creamy chocolate with a hint of orange that reminds me of the Tangy Orange Crème from a box of Cadbury’s Roses. It edges away hesitantly and a spicy, sherry fruitiness remains in its wake. All in all, 3.5 stars and a very worthy entry into the market for these green whippersnappers. In the exponential growth in Irish distilleries I see ominous shades of painful Celtic Tiger bandwagonry. Every boom precedes a shakedown where only the best remains, and I fear that the new distilleries may already be riding the crest of a waning wave. However, if they keep producing with this quality, then I think this fresh-faced, young distillery is one to keep an eye on and I predict they will be around for a long time :)

Unbelievable improvement of the Original. Dangerously drinkable, delightfully sweet and smooth like chocolate cherries.