Last Updated on: 29th April 2024, 03:57 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.
Explore a comprehensive review that covers all your inquiries and provides a thorough understanding of the Bushmills 10 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey.
Reviewed by: J Highland
Bushmills 10: Classic Irish Whiskey – Smooth But Familiar
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Bushmills 10 embodies the classic Irish whiskey profile: smooth, mellow, and slightly sweet. It’s a great choice for those new to Irish whiskey or seeking an easy-drinking dram, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Easy Sipping or Cocktails
This affordable whiskey is enjoyable neat or with a splash of water. The mild flavor profile also makes it a good base for homemade cocktails.
Solid Choice for Beginners, But Explore Further
While reliable and smooth, Bushmills 10 might lack the complexity that some whiskey enthusiasts crave. At a similar price point, there may be other Irish whiskeys with more distinctive characters.
A Decent Addition to an Irish Whiskey Collection
Overall, Bushmills 10 is a good foundation for exploring Irish whiskey. If you’re an aficionado, it can still be a worthwhile addition to your collection for those moments when you desire a familiar and smooth dram.
- Related: Best Bushmills Whiskeys
- Learn more: Bushmills 10 Website
What’s unique about this whiskey?
- Made exclusively from malted barley.
- Triple-distilled.
- Aged for 10 years in a combination of primarily bourbon barrels and some sherry casks.
How does it taste?
- 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
- Similar to: Glenfiddich 12
Upon nosing, the scent of honey takes the lead, accompanied by fruity hints of banana, mango, and a subtle touch of baking spice, while a slight alcohol scent fades with time as it breathes.
Tasting reveals a blend of ripe fruit and honey at the forefront, followed by the nuanced presence of cinnamon, clove, and a gentle oak spice.
The finish lingers for a medium duration, offering pleasant notes of milk chocolate and oak spice, with minimal warmth.
For an improved experience, allowing the whiskey to rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then adding a drop of water can enhance its character.
How does it rank?
These are my rankings:
| Whiskey | Rank |
| Redbreast 12 | 82 |
| Green Spot | 82 |
| Bushmills Black Bush | 68 |
| Bushmills 10 | 67 |
| Powers | 66 |
| Paddy | 64 |
| Bushmills Red Bush | 64 |
| Jameson | 63 |
| Bushmills Original | 60 |
| Tullamore DEW | 59 |
Better than the low-shelf Irish Whiskeys such as Jameson, Bushmills Original, and Tullamore DEW but short of the best mid-shelf releases such as the Redbreast 12 or the Green Spot.
And just a notch below the Bushmills Black Bush which we will discuss shortly after.
FAQ: Bushmills 10-Year Irish Whiskey
A quick FAQ to address your inquiries:
How to drink it?
- Add water: Let the whiskey rest for up to 15 minutes and then add a dash of water to enhance its flavors.
Alternatives
- Consider the Bushmills Black Bush as an alternative, which is a blend of 80% malted barley and 20% grain whiskey aged in sherry casks.
- The Black Bush offers a sweeter and more complex taste compared to the 10-Year and comes at a lower price.
Pricing Guide
- United States: $43
- Canada: $55
- Britain: £37
- Australia: $63
- Ireland: €36
Alcohol content
- Bushmills 10 Year has an alcohol content of 80 proof (40% ABV), which is the standard for Irish Whiskey.
Aging
- It is aged for 10 years, primarily in bourbon barrels with some sherry casks in the aging process.
Where is it made?
- Bushmills 10-Year is made at the Bushmills Distillery, located in Northern Ireland.
Is Bushmills 10-Year a Single Malt?
- Yes, it is a Single Malt Irish Whiskey, made exclusively from malted barley.
Does it expire?
- No, alcohol doesn’t expire. If stored properly in a cool place away from sunlight, it will last for years.
- It’s recommended to consume the whiskey once it reaches 25% content to avoid any undesirable changes in flavor.
Storage
- Store it in a cool place away from sunlight and keep the bottle upright without coming into contact with the stopper.
How did I review Bushmills 10?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.
Bushmills 10-Year Single Malt: Specs
| Type of Whisky | Single Malt |
| Age statement | 10 |
| Proof | 80 |
| ABV | 40% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Yes |
| Warm? | No |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | Yes |
| Good for cocktails? | Yes |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
| Kosher | No |