PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Bushmills is based in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and traces its roots to a 1608 license, which makes it one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world. It triple distills its single malts in handmade copper pot stills. This limited-release 12-year-old takes the core Bushmills malt and gives it an unusual second life in French wine casks. The whiskey is first matured for six years in carefully selected bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks, then finished for at least six more years in first-fill Bordeaux casks from Pomerol, the Right Bank appellation known for Merlot.
Each cask contributes something different: the bourbon barrels add “rich hints of vanilla and oak,” the sherry casks add “notes of dried fruits and spice,” and the Bordeaux casks add “subtle notes of currants.” The result is a whiskey the distillery describes as having “intense character.” It’s bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof), non-chill filtered, as a Private Reserve Limited Release from the 2012 vintage.
The tasting notes describe a deep copper whiskey with an aroma of “ripe plums, wild hedgerow berries, rich vanilla,” a palate that is “velvety,” with “sweet plum, raspberry, black cherry with apple and ginger,” and “a long, dry finish with gentle spices, lemon peel and succulent ripe fruits.” The red wine influence gives it a berry-driven, fruit-forward profile that is different from the sherried or chocolate-leaning Bushmills expressions, and it should appeal to wine drinkers who want to explore Irish whiskey, as well as fans of Irish single malt looking for something distinctive.
Bushmills 12 Year Old Bordeaux Cask Finish is produced at the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is a triple-distilled Irish single malt, matured for 6 years in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks, then finished for at least 6 years in first-fill Pomerol Bordeaux casks, from the 2012 vintage. Non-chill filtered. Bottled at 47% ABV / 94 proof, 750ml, as a limited release.
No numerical critic scores are published for this release.
Bushmills (official tasting notes):
“Aroma: Ripe plums, wild hedgerow berries, rich vanilla. Taste: Sweet plum, raspberry, black cherry with apple and ginger. Finish: Long, dry finish with gentle spices, lemon peel and succulent ripe fruits.”
Retailer tasting description:
“Deep copper in color, this whiskey greets you with ripe plums and wild berries layered with warm vanilla on the nose. Its velvety palate offers plum, raspberry, and black cherry, blended with crisp apple, honey, and ginger. A long, dry finish unveils spices and ripe fruits.”
Nose
Deep copper. Ripe plum, wild hedgerow berries, and rich vanilla.
Palate
Velvety, with sweet plum, raspberry, and black cherry, with crisp apple, honey, and ginger.
Finish
Long and dry, with gentle spice, lemon peel, and ripe fruit.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Single Malt Irish Whiskey — Bordeaux Cask Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 47% ABV / 94 Proof |
| Age | 12 Years (6 years bourbon & oloroso sherry, then 6+ years in Bordeaux casks) |
| Finish | First-fill Pomerol Bordeaux casks |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Distillery | Old Bushmills Distillery — County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Release | Private Reserve Limited Release |
| Style / Identity | A fruity, berry-driven Irish single malt with red wine cask character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Ripe plum, wild berries, vanilla, raspberry, black cherry, ginger, currant |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Enjoy neat, with a few drops of water to open the berry notes.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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