Best Bushmills Whiskey

Last Updated on: 23rd April 2024, 07:57 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

With the assistance of Irish Whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have reviewed and ranked every Bushmills release and determined which is the best.

Written by: J Highland

Here’s the best Bushmills for every taste based on the information you provided:

For the Value-Conscious Mixer:

Bushmills Peaky Blinders: A high-proof, unfiltered whiskey that provides flavors of the good old days.

For Fans of Sweet & Easy-Drinking Whiskeys:

Bushmills Red Bush: This sweet and smooth whiskey is another good option for cocktails or casual sipping. The vanilla, apple, and cinnamon notes offer a simple but pleasant experience.

For Budget-Minded Speyside Scotch Enthusiasts:

Bushmills Black Bush: This blend offers a flavor profile similar to a Speyside Scotch at a much lower price point. The sherry cask influence adds dried fruit and oak character, making it perfect for those who enjoy a more complex sip without breaking the bank.

For Those Who Want a Smooth & Fruity Irish Whiskey:

Bushmills 10 Single Malt: This single malt is a great introduction to the world of aged Irish whiskeys. The honey, banana, and baking spice notes offer a smooth and enjoyable sipping experience.

For Affordable Luxury with a Fruity Twist:

Bushmills 16 Single Malt: This single malt takes things up a notch with a more complex fruity profile of apple, pear, apricot, and port wine. The port wood finish adds a touch of elegance, making it a great choice for those who appreciate a luxurious taste without the high price tag.

For Adventurous Whiskey Drinkers Who Enjoy Tropical Flavors:

Bushmills 21 Single Malt: This unique whiskey offers a tropical taste sensation with notes of mango, guava, coconut, and honey. The smooth finish with a hint of oak makes it a truly special sipping experience.

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Quick Look at the Bushmills Range of Whiskeys

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price
The Original	$22
Red Bush	$22
Black Bush	$30
Peaky Blinders	$24
Bushmills 10	$43
Bushmills 16	$143
Bushmills 21	$245

Bushmills Original: Smooth & Affordable

Nose: Apple, grape, alcohol
Palate: Apple, toasted cereal, sugar, vanilla, oak
Finish: Short, oak spice, caramel
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Cocktails

Bushmills Original’s aroma is light and inviting, with apple, grapes, and a touch of alcohol. The taste is light-bodied and fruity, like sweet apple juice, with toasted cereal, sugar, vanilla, and oak. The finish balances oak spice with a hint of charred caramel. This affordable, 5-year-old Irish whiskey shines in cocktails or on the rocks, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Bushmills Red Bush: Sweet & Simple

Nose: Nail polish, honey, apple, oak, mint
Palate: Vanilla, apple, cinnamon, oats
Finish: Short, oak spice, vanilla
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Cocktails

Red Bush starts with a hint of acetone, giving way to honey, apple, oak, and a touch of mint. The creamy texture offers vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and oats. The short finish has mild oak spice with lingering vanilla and caramel.

Easy-drinking and sweet, this value-priced whiskey uses first-fill bourbon casks for a smooth experience, but complexity is limited.

Black Bush: Affordable Speyside-like Sipper

Nose: Sherry, dried fruit, oak
Palate: Vanilla, ripe fruit, baking spice
Finish: Long, ripe fruit, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Black Bush opens with a warming alcohol scent that mellows to rich sherry, dried fruit, and a hint of oak. The palate is smooth and slightly light, offering sweet ripe fruit, vanilla, and a spicy cinnamon kick. The finish lingers with sweet fruit and subtle oak spice, impressive for its price range.

Aged 7 to 11 years in sherry and bourbon casks, this 80% malt, 20% grain blend drinks like a Speyside Scotch, perfect for affordable sipping.

Peaky Blinder Powerhouse

Nose: Peach, apricot, vanilla, honey, oak
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, honey, apricot, banana
Finish: Medium, honey, dried fruit, vanilla
Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Bushmills Prohibition Recipe packs a punch with its rich nose of peach, apricot, vanilla, and honey, alongside oaky hints. The full-bodied taste mirrors the aroma, bursting with fruity and sweet notes of caramel, vanilla, honey, and banana. The finish lingers with a pleasant blend of honey, dried fruit, and vanilla.

This non-chill filtered whiskey uses 3-5 year old ex-bourbon barrel whiskies for a robust yet smooth experience, all at 92 proof provides great value for the money.

Bushmills 10: Smooth Irish Delight

Nose: Honey, ripe fruit, baking spice
Palate: Banana, honey, cinnamon, clove
Finish: Medium, milk chocolate, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Honey, banana, mango, and baking spices tantalize the nose in Bushmills 10. The palate starts with ripe fruit and honey, evolving into warming cinnamon, clove, and oak. The finish lingers with milk chocolate and oak spice. Enjoy it neat or in cocktails after a quick rest with a drop of water.

This smooth, subtle Single Malt, aged in bourbon and sherry casks, embodies Irish whiskey’s affordability and drinkability.

Bushmills 16: Fruity & Affordable Luxury

Nose: Apple, pear, banana, malty grain, port wine
Palate: Apricot, peach, oak spice, port wine
Finish: Port wine, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Bushmills 16’s nose is a fruity orchard, offering apple, pear, banana, and hints of malt and port. The palate explodes with apricot, peach, and port flavors, balanced by warming spices. The finish is smooth, lingering with notes of port and oak.

This single malt, aged in bourbon and sherry casks with a Port Wood finish, rivals the smoothness of the top-ranked Balvenie 21 Portwood at a fraction of the price.

Bushmills 21: Tropical Treasure

Nose: Mango, guava, coconut, honey
Palate: Honey, lemon, tropical fruit, oak spice
Finish: Ripe fruit, lemon, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Bushmills 21’s nose is a tropical paradise with mango, guava, coconut, and honey. Despite a slightly lighter body, the palate delivers honey, lemon, and tropical fruits with a touch of oak. The finish lingers with fruity notes and a hint of oak.

This 80-proof whiskey is surprisingly smooth and enjoyable neat, offering a unique tropical experience thanks to its 19-year aging in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, finished in Madeira casks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Bushmills Whiskey Compare to Others?

Bushmills whiskeys are known for their smoothness and sweetness, making them suitable for new whiskey drinkers and those who prefer a lighter, easy-drinking experience.

Is Bushmills a Good Choice for Whiskey Beginners?

Absolutely. Its gentle and approachable flavor profile makes it an excellent starting point for those new to whiskey.

Common Traits of Bushmills Whiskeys

Bushmills whiskeys often have a lower alcohol content (proof), resulting in a milder taste. This may be less appealing to those seeking robust, complex flavors.