Bushmills Original

Caramel with a tangy citrus and floral nose. The initial sip brings butter cream and honey, with a easy follow thru. Subsequent sips bring more honey and light toffee.

Meh. It smells faintly of butterscotch and bananas. Quite inviting, really, but still subdued. I taste some of the flavors that I smelled, but what I smelt was not entirely dealt (to my mouth). It’s sweet and light, and that’s about it. Acceptably smooth for 80 proof, and quite unobjectionable in its olfactory presentation. I’m eager to give Black Bush a try since it supposedly delivers the same flavors as this one but dialed up a notch (a la Jameson Black Barrel). Overall, I’d say this suffers the same affliction as most of the other Irish blends I’ve tried: it’s boring. I like the flavor. I like the smell. But, c’mon ya stingy Micks, give me a little more to work with!

Pleasant, but one dimensional butterschotch and banana peel nose, continued in the palate. Number two spot between this, Jameson and Tullamore D.E.W.

Bushmills was one of the first Irish Whiskies I was introduced to long ago, at least that I am aware of. I was happy to discover that I quite enjoy Irish Whisky. Then again I am part Irish so go figure! Now I am tasting it again but this time with more intent and attempt at understanding it paying more attention and having more appreciation. Nose: Slight alcohol but not overpowering. Clean and refreshing almost a salty ocean water smell. Some kind of a smoke aroma a bit resinous perhaps. Raisin or figs or even possibly a grape jammy scent. There is indeed a lot going on here. It is ever so slightly perfumy as well with a natural woodsy scent like amber or sandalwood. Is this the peat aroma and flavor I read often about here in Distiller? I want to say it smells peaty as if by some deeper "knowing" or inclination but in all truth I do not know for sure if that is what this is as I am still learning and have no one in person to tell me what I "should" be smelling or tasting. I notice in others notes nothing of this but I do my notes prior to looking at what others have said and stick to them - not allowing myself to be convinced otherwise just because I may taste or smell things differently. Flavor: Low to mid burn full of creamy mouthfeel and very buttery and sweet. Vanilla and a slight astringency. Tart as it lingers, and linger a long time it does! Is that what they mean by "legs?" EDITED: Just looked up "legs" in terms of whisky to learn this is NOT what that means. The linger on the palette is thick and heavy. I like this! Layers of flavor play around on my tongue shifting from sweet and thick creamy vanilla to a twangy tanginess then eases out to a jammy yet slight astringency then backing off toward something unique. What IS that essence left behind? Its on the tip of my tongue - not the flavor as that is all over my mouth but what it is exactly is what I ponder - its such a familiar and happy flavor. Maybe in a future tasting I will figure it out. By now (an hour into tasting) the alcohol aroma has entirely faded from the nosing to something light and dessert like. Jam keeps coming to mind but now more of an apricot scent. Either this Irish Whisky is playing games with my mind or I'm really leaning into this one. Fruits bouncing around in my mouth is most enjoyable! Still, getting that slight perfumery resin. Starting to feel I could toss any adjective out and this whisky would match it to someone's palette. Its kinda got it all. Literally every single sip I get something new and different. This is a good one, as far as I know, and as far as my experience allows. I will need to focus more in depth on what Irish whisky has to offer! Feel free to comment and set me straight on what is gong on here with this whisky and what I may be misunderstanding - especially about peat! Ratings have nothing to do with cost - just my impressions.