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Bushmills Review

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Bushmills

Address: Off A2, Bushmills
Phone: 028/2073-3218
www.bushmills.com

Category: Wineries/Breweries
Location: Bushmills

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Fodor's Review:

Reputedly the oldest licensed distillery in the world, Bushmills was first granted a charter by King James I in 1608, though historical records refer to a distillery here as early as 1276. Bushmills produces the most famous of Irish whiskeys—its namesake—and what is widely regarded as the best, the rarer black-label version known to aficionados as Black Bush. During the guided tour you will discover the secrets of the special water from St. Columb's Mill, the story behind malted Irish barley, and learn about triple distillation in copper stills and aging (which happens for long years in oak casks).

You begin in the mashing and fermentation room, proceed to the maturing and bottling warehouse, and conclude, yes, with the much anticipated, complimentary shot of uise beatha, the "water of life." You can also have a light lunch in the Distillery Kitchen or pick up souvenirs in the distillery gift shop. If you're very lucky you could pick up a bottle of Bushmills Malt 21 Year Old, an extremely rare single-malt Irish whiskey, of which only a very limited number of bottles are available each year. It sells for £110. To mark its 400th anniversary, the company produced Bushmills 1608, a limited edition whiskey distilled with crystal malt, a special type of malted barley with an alluring aroma and sweet toffee-like smoothness. It's a snip at £49. Bushmills Master Distiller, Colum Egan, describes it with the following colorful personification: "It is a very approachable whiskey with great depth of character, and in true Irish style, it has plenty of personality and a gentle touch." One drop of this elixir and you'll realize that this small distillery is still top of its game four centuries after its founding. A word to the wise: whiskey experts say you should first of all try Bushmills neat and then add water in teaspoonful increments, as a soupcon of water unlocks the flavor while knocking a little fire out of the whiskey—there's a crucial tipping point so don't dilute too much! Children under eight are not permitted on the tour.

Cost: £6
Open: Tours Apr.-Oct., Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. noon-5; Nov.-Mar., weekdays 10:30-3:30, weekends 1:30-3:30

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