BUSHMILLS - 14 years old - 40%
The Bushmills distillery is nestled on the north coast of Ireland, a few kilometers from the Giant's Causeway, in County Antrim, where it boasts more than four centuries of expertise. Founded in 1608, it is considered the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, making it a true historical benchmark. Its style is based on triple distillation, the house signature, which brings finesse, smoothness, and great aromatic purity to the single malts. The warehouses, bathed in sea air, house an impressive collection of bourbon and fortified wine casks meticulously selected by master blender Alex Thomas. In this renowned range, Bushmills 14 years stands out as a modern single malt, designed to appeal both to seasoned enthusiasts and curious seekers of new Irish expressions. It embodies an ideal bridge between the distillery's tradition and a bolder approach to aging.
Bushmills 14 years 40% is a single malt that has matured exclusively in first and second fill bourbon barrels for at least fourteen years, before benefiting from a finish of about twelve months in former Malaga wine casks. These naturally sweet wine casks, notably from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grape varieties, give the whisky a ruby-hued color and a particularly indulgent exotic dimension. The triple distillation from malted barley imparts a supple and airy texture to the distillate, ideal for welcoming the influence of American oak followed by Spanish wine. The reduction to 40% is carried out with precision to preserve aromatic density and drinkability, in an accessible yet far from simplistic style. This cuvée, now part of Bushmills' permanent range, is distinguished by its profile that is both rich, smooth, and remarkably balanced. It illustrates the distillery's ability to revisit the classics of Irish single malt through the lens of carefully orchestrated cask finishes.
On tasting, Bushmills 14 years reveals a deep golden color with coppery reflections leaning towards ruby. The nose opens with an abundant palette of exotic fruits, mango, pineapple, and apricot, joined by notes of yellow fruits, vanilla, soft caramel, and a touch of milk chocolate. On the palate, the attack is soft and velvety, with a warm body where tropical fruits mingle with hints of ginger, cinnamon, light honey, and gentle spices. The texture is creamy but remains supported by a discreet freshness, avoiding any heaviness and highlighting the finesse of the triple distillation. The finish is long, smooth, and precise, marked by vanilla, dried apricot, mandarin, and a return of spicy and floral notes that extend the pleasure. At the table, this 14-year-old will ideally accompany lacquered duck breast, caramelized pork fillet, aged cheddar, matured Comté, or a dessert with dried fruits and milk chocolate. It is also a superb contemplative whisky, to be savored alone at the end of a meal, where each sip reveals a little more of the depth of its maturation.
