Bushmills Black Bush
A few weeks ago, Alie and I decided to treat our friends to a whiskey tasting. Since our friends didn’t have much experience with whiskey, we wanted to present them with different types of whiskeys. At the liquor store, I picked out bottles that would allow our friends to experience the character of bourbon, rye, Irish, and Scotch whiskeys. I chose these types because I wanted our friends to be able to identify the sometimes not-so-subtle differences. For the Irish whiskey selection, I landed on Bushmills Black Bush.
Bushmills
I picked Bushmills because it was a brand of Irish whiskey we’ve enjoyed previously. The taste of Irish whiskey hits more citrus and floral notes. It is less overpowering than some of the bourbons I tend to drink, making it perfect for the beginner whiskey enthusiast.
My friends do not always enjoy the bourbon I share with them. I try to consider that when deciding what to pour. Understanding that not everyone wants an intense whiskey that sears everything from your mouth to your stomach has led me to make more informed decisions about what to put in your cup.
Bushmills is a quintessential Irish whiskey. It is a brand with a long, storied history. Bushmills was founded in 1608 and claims to be the oldest licensed distiller in all of Ireland. During the 20th-century, Irish whiskey suffered a massive collapse. Conflicts on the Emerald Isle prevented the export of Irish whiskey, which led to declining sales. Disinterest in whiskey and a growing preference for clear spirits nearly drove a nail into the coffin of the industry.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, many distillers of Irish whiskey went bankrupt or restructured their businesses to survive. In 1972, Old Bushmills merged with Irish Distillers, the producers of Jameson. The two most well-known Irish whiskey brands were now made by the same company and the entire industry was on the brink of collapse. Eventually, whiskey saw a resurgence in popularity driving increased production and sales. Irish whiskey was able to capitalize and make a comeback. Since 2014, Bushmills has been owned by Jose Cuervo, a brand best known for its agave spirits. Today, Irish whiskey is the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. whiskey market.
Black Bush
I selected Bushmills Black Bush because I had been gifted a bottle of White Bush as a wedding gift. Perhaps it was the sentimentality of what the bottle represented, but I recall thinking it was a delicious whiskey.
We also possess a Bushmills cask finished whiskey from Stranahan’s that is one of my favorites. I enjoy it so much that I haven’t finished it yet! It takes a truly special bottle for me to save it. Normally, I drink the bottles I buy to the end.
The Black Bush was intriguing because it is aged in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. I hoped that the aging process would give this whiskey a more refined taste without being overpowering. Sherry-aged whiskeys have a delicate sweetness that mellows out the intensity. I believe they are the perfect selection to introduce to a beginner or a wine drinker.
Bushmills Black Bush contains 80% single malt whiskey and a blend of 20% distilled grain whiskey. There is no age statement on the bottle, but the Bushmills website claims the whiskey is aged for up to 8 years. A mix of various aged whiskeys are likely blended to create Black Bush. Either way, the results are delicious.
Tasting Notes
I picked up a strong sherry and apple cider scent off the nose. It is a very pleasant-smelling whiskey. Alie picked up the sherry aroma along with notes of apple and pear or pome fruits. To her, the fruit scents stood above all the other aromas.
On the tongue, I picked up notes of wood and malt. There were slight hints of vanilla as I continued to sip. Alie remarked that it tasted a bit like Scotch, likely due to the high amount of single malt in the whiskey. The first few sips hit our tongues sharply with a little twinge of heat. After a few more sips, the heat was no longer noticeable. We found Black Bush to be a mellow sipping whiskey and much better than the original White Label.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 4.2
Intensity: 2.5
Personal Preference: 3.8
Beginner Friendly: 4.7
Availability: 5
Overall: 3.9
Final Thoughts
Bushmills Black Bush is a really good budget Irish whiskey. It gets smoother with each sip and the flavors are delicate and light. The sherry cask aging adds complexity to this whiskey, giving it a touch of sweetness and body at the finish.
Irish whiskey is a great place to start if you are a beginner enthusiast. The whiskeys are generally smooth, with a touch of intensity. The fastest way to scare someone away from whiskey is to give them a pour that singes their nostrils and tongue. Introducing people to a lighter whiskey like Bushmills Black Bush is a great place to start if the person you are sharing with doesn’t know where to begin.
We shared Black Bush during our tasting for new whiskey enthusiasts. It turned out to be the group’s favorite pour. They enjoyed the taste and felt the whiskey improved with each sip. The tasters were able to pick out the different aromas and flavors easily. Our friends enjoyed tasting and discussing Black Bush more than the other whiskeys they tried.
Black Bush is under $30 out the door, which makes it easy to justify adding to your bar. We recommend adding it to your collection, especially if you are like us and find bourbon dominates your bar. Even if you don’t end up drinking it all yourself, it is a great whiskey to share with friends. For the price, you won’t even be mad if they choose to add ice to the pour.
Happy Exploring!
