Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 01:18 am
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.
Explore the distinctions between Bushmills 21 and Glenfiddich 21 in this comprehensive comparison and determine which Single Malt suits your preferences best!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Bushmills 21 vs Glenfiddich 21: Comparison
Bushmills 21: A unique Irish whiskey with a tropical twist, offering flavors of mango, guava, and coconut alongside honey and oak spice. Best enjoyed with water to unveil its complexity.
Glenfiddich 21: A Speyside single malt with a tropical flair, featuring honey, pineapple, and mango, enriched by a rum cask finish. Best sipped neat for a full appreciation of its nuanced character.
Verdict: Bushmills 21 and Glenfiddich 21 both provide a tropical escape in a glass, with each showcasing its distinct heritage. Bushmills brings a smooth, fruity experience from Ireland, while Glenfiddich offers a Speyside interpretation with rum-infused richness. Both are excellent choices for those seeking a whiskey with unique, fruity complexity and a premium sipping experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Each presents a unique sipping experience, catering to different palates and preferences.
Related: Best 21-Year-Old Single Malts
Bushmills 21: A Smooth Irish Whiskey with Tropical Flair
- 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
- Similar to: Glenlivet 21
The Bushmills 21 offers a unique take on Irish whiskey, showcasing a delightful combination of smoothness and tropical fruit flavors. Here’s a breakdown:
- Nose: Prepare to be captivated by a delightful aroma of tropical fruits! Think ripe mango, guava, coconut, and honey, creating a truly inviting first impression.
- Palate: The initial sip might feel a bit light-bodied due to its lower 80-proof bottling. However, the taste delivers a pleasant wave of honey sweetness, followed by hints of lemon and more tropical fruit notes. A touch of oak spice adds a subtle complexity.
- Finish: The finish lingers for a moderate amount of time, leaving behind a fruity essence with a touch of lemon and a hint of oak spice that adds a gentle bitterness.
A Delightful Sip, But Room for Improvement
While the Bushmills 21 boasts an exceptional nose and smooth taste, the lighter body and slightly shorter finish hold it back from achieving top marks. It’s important to note that Bushmills often opts for lower proofs, which contributes to the smoothness but can affect the overall intensity.
Here’s the Takeaway:
- Smooth and easy to drink, with no harshness.
- Enticing tropical fruit aromas and flavors.
- Slightly thin body and a shorter finish compared to some whiskeys.
- Lower proof might not be ideal for all palates.
- A good value within the Bushmills range, but the Bushmills 16 offers similar smoothness at a more affordable price.
Looking for a Similar Experience?
If you’re drawn to the smoothness of the Bushmills 21 but prefer a more budget-friendly option, consider trying the Bushmills 16. It delivers a similar smooth experience without the higher price tag.
Glenfiddich 21: A Smooth Speyside with Tropical Flair
- Nose: Honey, caramel, pineapple, coconut, almond
- Palate: Raisins, pineapple, mango, honey, walnut, chili pepper
- Finish: Mango, pineapple, honey
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Glenlivet 21
The Glenfiddich 21 offers a unique twist on a classic Speyside single malt. Here’s a breakdown:
- Nose: Enticing aromas of honey take center stage, followed by a wave of tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut, with a hint of almond adding complexity.
- Palate: The initial sip reveals a sweet profile dominated by raisin flavors. Look for additional tropical notes like pineapple and mango, along with a touch of coconut, all complemented by a subtle nuttiness and a pleasant kick of chili pepper spice. While smooth, the texture leans a bit light.
- Finish: The sweetness lingers briefly, carrying echoes of tropical fruits with minimal warmth.
A Unique Sipping Experience
This whisky stands out for its tropical fruit influence, thanks to its finishing in rum casks. While enjoyable for its smoothness and distinct character, it does stray from the typical Speyside profile.
Keep in Mind:
- The light texture might feel watery to some.
- The short finish may leave you wanting more.
- The price might not reflect the experience compared to other Speyside options.
A Final Thought:
For those seeking a familiar Speyside dram with a touch of the exotic, the Glenfiddich 21 provides an interesting exploration. However, if a more robust Speyside experience with a better value is your priority, whiskies like the Balvenie 14 might be a better fit.
Price comparison
| Whiskey | Price |
| Bushmills 21 | $245 |
| Glenfiddich 21 | $210 |