Bushmills
Smooth, triple-distilled Irish whiskey from the north of Ireland, without peat smoke. Everything about the distillery, the bottles, the taste and the glass to serve it in.
Irish whiskey from the village of Bushmills
Bushmills is an Irish whiskey from the village of the same name in County Antrim, on the north coast of Northern Ireland, not far from the famous Giant's Causeway. The label says 1608: that was the year the area was granted a license to distill whiskey. Bushmills therefore calls itself the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery.
Like many Irish whiskeys, Bushmills is triple-distilled in copper pot stills. This produces a smooth, light spirit. The barley is not dried over peat, so you won't taste smoke. The malt whiskey is made from one hundred percent malted barley; for blends such as Original and Black Bush, Bushmills blends it with lighter grain whiskey. Since 2015, the brand has been owned by Proximo Spirits, the company behind Jose Cuervo.
Want to know more about the differences between Irish, Scotch and American whiskey? Read our page on Irish whiskey or the overview of whisky.
In brief
What types of Bushmills are there?
Bushmills has two families: the blends (Original and Black Bush) and the single malts with an age statement on the label. These are the bottles available at Gall & Gall.
Bushmills Original
The entry-level whiskey: triple-distilled malt whiskey blended with lighter grain whiskey. Smooth, light and slightly sweet.
Bushmills Black Bush
A blend with a high proportion of malt whiskey, matured in oloroso sherry casks. Fuller than the Original, with nuts, dried fruit and toffee.
Bushmills Caribbean Rum Cask
Finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum. Smooth, with tropical fruit, vanilla and a hint of caramel.
Bushmills 10 Years
Single malt, matured for at least ten years in bourbon barrels. Honey, vanilla and milk chocolate. An easy-drinking, fresh malt.
Bushmills 14 Years Malaga
First matured in bourbon barrels, then in casks that held sweet Málaga muscatel wine. Honey, mandarin and warm spices.
Bushmills 21 Years
Matured in oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, then aged for another two years in Madeira casks. Rich, with dried fruit, nuts and spices.
The Sexton
A distinctive brand from the same house: triple-distilled Irish single malt, matured in oloroso sherry casks. Full, fruity and nutty.
For Irish coffee or a long drink, choose Original. If you want to drink it neat, start with Black Bush or the 10 Years.
Smooth and sweet, with honey and fruit
Light & fruity
Fresh fruit such as pear and apple, honey and vanilla. No smoke. Black Bush and the sherry-finished bottles also bring raisins and nuts.
Smooth and soft
Creamy and light-bodied, with honey, toffee and a little grain. The triple-distilled spirit feels smooth, even neat.
Short to medium
Sweet and smooth, with a light spiciness. The older single malts linger longer, with oak and dried fruit.
Flavor profile of Bushmills Original. Black Bush and the single malts are fuller and fruitier.
Three ways to drink Bushmills
Bushmills is smooth enough to drink neat and light enough to mix. Ireland is the home of Irish coffee, and Original was made for it.
Neat or with a drop of water
Pour 30 ml of Black Bush or 10 Years into a tasting glass. A few drops of water open up the fruit and honey. This lets you taste the difference between the bottles properly.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
A large ice cube in a tumbler with Original or Caribbean Rum Cask. Smooth and fresh, even for those who rarely drink whiskey.
Glass: tumbler →Irish coffee
Hot coffee, brown sugar and 40 ml of Bushmills Original, topped with softly whipped cream. The best-known drink made with Irish whiskey.
Go to the recipe →Cocktails with Bushmills
Irish whiskey is smoother than bourbon or Scotch. That makes Bushmills work well in hot drinks and simple classics. Irish coffee tops the list.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon and whiskey. With Bushmills Original, smooth and warming.
Old Fashioned
Whiskey, sugar and bitters. With Black Bush, you get a smooth, fruity version with sherry notes.
Penicillin
Lemon, honey and ginger. Normally made with Scotch, but with Bushmills it becomes smoother and fresher.
Whisky cocktails
All cocktails with whiskey in one overview, from Whiskey Sour to Rusty Nail.The right glass for Bushmills
For the Original with ice or in an Old Fashioned, use a heavy tumbler. If you want to taste the single malts neat, a tulip-shaped tasting glass brings out the fruit and honey better.
Everything you still wanted to know about Bushmills
Is your question not listed? Read more about Irish whiskey or view our whisky cocktails.
To Irish whiskey →What percentage of alcohol is in Bushmills?
Is Bushmills Irish or Scottish?
What does 1608 on the bottle mean?
What is the difference between Bushmills Original and Black Bush?
Which whiskey should you use for Irish coffee?
Which glass should you use for Bushmills?
Buy Bushmills
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Bushmills online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 7, 4 of which are on offer.
Prices as of October 8, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.