The Bushmills 10 years Irish Single Malt is where Bushmills goes from good to exciting. Matured almost exclusively in ex-bourbon casks this is a single malt that is on par with many of it’s Scottish cousins. The triple distillation and lower proof does make it a bit lighter than many comparable Scottish Single Malts, but it packs a punch of flavor and warm inviting aromas that can go toe-to-toe with many in a similar age-range.
Bushmills 10 is one of my favorite Irish sipping whiskies. It’s just insanely pleasant to sip on and something I can enjoy all day long. It also happens to be the favorite of Bushmills master distiller Colum Egan and that’s a man who has access to more Bushmills than any person on the planet. So if it’s good enough as a daily tipple for him it’s good enough for me!
Bushmills 10 years Irish Single Malt Review
Distiller: Bushmills
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Price: $40
EYE
Burned gold
NOSE
Complex orchard fruit floods the nasal passages along with malt, vanilla, dried strawberries, honey and a touch of copper. Some light notes of citrus float lightly in the background with some floral hints.
PALATE
Complex fruit again leads the charge with notes of malt, vanilla, honey, a light spice and a light sherry like sweetness. A touch of walnut shells and citrus spring up towards the end before the finish.
FINISH
Short and malty with notes of vanilla, honey, salt water taffy and wood. Though not like the oakiness in bourbon, more like a toothpick that you’ve chewed on for a while.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, a medium body and warm smooth texture.
OVERALL
Bushmills 10 is where Bushmills really starts getting good and that triple distilled Irish single malt gets a chance to shine. From the complex and aromatic nose to the warm fruity palate it’s wonderful whiskey and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s quality drams like this that make me wonder why so many folks have such a bias against Irish Whiskey. Sure some of the blends are crap, but so are some Scottish blends. The single malts and single post sills though, those can be very nice indeed.
SCORE: 87/100