Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey

Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey is a distinctive and richly flavored Irish whiskey that stands apart from many peers through its sherry-cask-focused maturation and high malt content. It is smooth yet layered, offering both depth and approachability — a refined sipping whiskey that bridges blended tradition with malt-forward richness.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced by the historic Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland — one of the oldest licensed whiskey producers in the world — Black Bush is a blended Irish whiskey with an unusually high proportion of malt whiskey in its makeup (estimated at 80% malt to grain) and an emphasis on maturation in former Oloroso sherry casks.

Triple distilled in copper stills before aging, the spirit’s extended time in sherry wood imparts notable fruit and nut sweetness, creating a profile that is deeper and more expressive than many standard Irish blends. The result is a whiskey that retains Irish whisky’s characteristic smoothness while offering a richer aromatic and flavor spectrum.

Critics Reviews

Wine Enthusiast awards Bushmills Black Bush an outstanding 96 points, praising its elegance, soft texture, and sherry-influenced complexity.

Wine Enthusiast’s tasting note highlights the blend’s sherry dominance and resulting flavors: baked apple, dried apricot, caramel, and butterscotch — all rounding into a smooth, refined finish.

This high professional rating positions Black Bush well above typical Irish blended whisky expectations and affirms its status as a standout value in its category.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Generous and inviting, with dried orchard fruit (apricot, baked apple), honeyed malt, and toasted oak giving first impressions of warmth and depth. Subtle notes of almond and honeycomb add richness.

Palate:
Soft yet flavorful, featuring sweet dried fruit, caramel, and light vanilla, underpinned by rich sherry sweetness and malt-driven complexity. The influence of Oloroso sherry barrels is clear, bringing fruitcake and toffee nuances that balance the spirit’s innate smoothness.

Finish:
Clean and lingering with butterscotch, soft orchard fruit, and faint nutty spice, leaving a warm and satisfying close.

Quick Overview

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Neat or On Ice (Recommended)
Serve in a tulip glass or rocks glass with a large ice cube to emphasize the sherry-driven fruit and lingering finish.

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate with orange peel — echoes fruit and sweetness

• Baked pear with honey and toasted almonds — matches orchard fruit notes

• Soft cheeses such as triple-cream Brie — balances smoothness and fruit intensity

" This elegant, super-soft sipper is a blend of grain whiskey and malt whiskey that was finished in oloroso Sherry casks—the emphasis on the latter. The Sherry influence shows in the baked apple and dried apricot flavors that round into caramel and butterscotch tones on the finish." Wine Enthusiast 96 Points