For our Malt of the Month this month we are crossing the Irish Sea to pay homage to St Patrick, who as legend has it drove all the snakes out of Ireland.
Interesting Facts
Bushmills distillery in County Antrim was granted a license to distil whiskey in 1608 and has been producing some fine malt whiskies ever since with only a couple of small breaks due to barley shortages during both World Wars. This makes it the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world!
Quality Recipe Maintained
In the 1850’s a malt tax was introduced which led to drastic price increases in malted barley. This led to some distilleries changing their recipe, but Bushmills stuck to their guns and kept theirs exactly the same as it had always been.
Prohibition in the USA ended in 1933 and around 1923 Belfast merchant Samuel Wilson bought Bushmills distillery knowing that one day he would make his fortune. He would also make a lot of Americans happy.
Military Diversion
Due to barley shortages from 1939 until 1945 the distillery was mothballed and Allied troops were billeted in the distillery during this time. Bushmills distillery head office in Dublin was bombed and all their archives were destroyed in the resulting fires.
Bushmills 10 Whisky
A superb 10 year old Irish single malt and winner of Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey at the 2007 World Whiskies Awards.
Bushmills are always scored highly in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, with the 10 year old being awarded 90 points!
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Banana skins.
- Palate: Medium, very fruity, chocolate pudding.
- Finish: Floral, tannic.
- Overall: Add a drop of water and it tastes just like nectarine chunks in low fat yoghurt!
Next Whisky Tasting Evening
Join George, our master of malt for our regular Whisky Tasting Evenings at The Wild Boar.
The next event is on St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17th March when we will welcome Jane Maher, Brand ambassador Tullamore whisky to celebrate a range of Irish Whiskies.