Bushmills Original vs Bushmills Red Bush: Whiskey Comparison

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 01:16 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.

Discover the differences between Bushmills Original vs Bushmills Red Bush in this in-depth review and decide which Whiskey is better for You!

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 The Original vs Bushmills Red Bush: Comparison

Bushmills The Original: Simple with apple, grape nose. Palate blends apple, cereal, vanilla. Short, sweet finish. Ideal for cocktails. Approachable, versatile.

Bushmills Red Bush: Mild honey, apple aroma. Creamy vanilla, apple, cinnamon palate. Short, smooth finish. Cocktails recommended. Smooth, sweet, affordable.

Key Difference: Bushmills The Original and Red Bush differ in aging; Red Bush uses first-fill bourbon barrels for a nuanced flavor, while the Original uses second or third-fill barrels.

Verdict: Both Bushmills The Original and Bushmills Red Bush present excellent value, offering smooth and approachable profiles suitable for cocktail mixing. The Original is known for its light, fruity character, while Red Bush provides a creamy experience with a bourbon barrel influence, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Each is tailored to casual enjoyment and offers a welcoming introduction to Irish whiskey.

Bushmills The Original: A Simple and Affordable Irish Whiskey

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
Similar to: Tullamore DEW

Light and pleasant aroma: The aroma of Bushmills The Original features a noticeable apple note, accompanied by subtle hints of grapes and a mild alcohol presence that doesn’t overpower the experience.

Light-bodied with familiar flavors: The palate might feel slightly thin, but it delivers familiar and approachable flavors. The initial sip brings to mind apple juice, with additional nuances of toasted cereal, sugar, vanilla, and a touch of oak.

Short finish with a touch of sweetness: The finish is relatively short, leaving behind a balance of oak spice bitterness and a pleasant charred caramel note.

A casual sipper and mixer: While not the most complex whiskey, Bushmills The Original offers a smooth and inoffensive drinking experience at an attractive price. It might not be the best choice for neat sipping, but it performs well on the rocks and in cocktails, making it a budget-friendly option for various occasions.

Additional details:

Aged for 5 years in American oak casks
Blended with Irish Single Malt
Triple-distilled for smoothness

Bushmills Red Bush: A Smooth and Affordable Irish Whiskey

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
Similar to: Jameson

Subtle aroma: While a hint of acetone might be detectable initially, take a moment, and the nose reveals pleasant notes of honey, apple, and oak, with a touch of refreshing mint emerging.

Creamy and smooth: The palate is met with a satisfying mouthfeel, displaying a moderate creaminess.

Sweet and easy to drink: The initial sip offers flavors of vanilla and caramel, followed by a subtle dash of cinnamon and an underlying grainy character.

Short but pleasant finish: The finish is relatively short, leaving behind lingering notes of oak spice, vanilla, and caramel.

Value for money: This affordable and easy-drinking whiskey offers good value for its price. While not the most complex dram, its smooth and sweet profile makes it a good choice for casual sipping or mixing into cocktails.

Additional details:

Aged for approximately 3 years
Crafted with a blend of malt and grain whiskeys
Triple-distilled for smoothness
Matured in first-fill bourbon casks

How do Bushmills The Original and Red Bush differ?

Barrel management sets them apart

The distinction between these whiskeys lies in their aging process, with Red Bush maturing in first-fill bourbon barrels, while the Original ages in second or third-fill bourbon barrels.

First-fill barrels are used for the first time, imparting a more pronounced bourbon-like flavor to the whiskey.