Bushmills Black Bush is a blended Irish Whiskey, but it’s not the same thing as most Scottish blends. For starters the malt is aged for up to seven years in a combination of oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. The second, and biggest difference, is that it’s 80% malt. Compare this to most Scottish blends which come in at around 20% malt and out’s easy to see why it tastes so much different, and better, than most comparable Scottish blends and even it’s blended brother the Bushmills White.
This 80% malt is why this tastes much closer to an Irish Single Malt than it does other Irish Blends like Jameson. This is just a good whiskey for a great price and one of my go-tos in the realm of affordable and accessible Irish Whiskeys.
Bushmills Black Bush Review
Distiller: Bushmills
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Price: $30
EYE
Amber
NOSE
This reminds me a bit of the Jameson Black Barrel; while it’s still a blend there is a noticeably much higher amount of malt in the blend than it’s base release. Delicious single malt starts it all off with notes of vanilla, dark sweets, baklava, and a touch of orchard fruit.
PALATE
Warm malt glides over the palate dragging notes of caramel, vanilla, toffee, spice and peanut brittle with it.
FINISH
Medium fade of Orchard fruit, dark sweets, brittle that drifts out to ash.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance in flavors and aromas with a medium body and a soft smooth texture.
OVERALL
I like the Bushmills Black Bush. It’s joined the Jameson Black Barrel as one of my favorite Irish blends. It has an easy warmth to it that makes it enjoyable to sip while it’s overall flavor profile makes it great for cocktails and long drinks. It’s a versatile blend and it’s rare for me to not have it in the house.
SCORE: 84/100
