Bushmills 10 Year Old Review: Is it for You or Should You Skip it?

Want to enjoy Irish whiskey at its best? Then Bushmills is the place to be. This famous name is well-known for a reason: it stands for quality. Learn more about a 10-year-old whiskey in this Bushmills 10 Years Review.

The Irish whiskey scene is booming. Once a major player, then nearly diminished, the market has surged again in recent years. Distilleries are reinventing themselves and new players are stepping in. Everyone knows Bushmills though, right?

Bushmills takes its name from the village of Bushmills in Northern Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery was granted its license in 1608 and is said to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world. It likely existed long before then. More than four centuries on, they’re still making whiskey, though here, of course, we say whiskey with an “e.”

In hand we have a Bushmills 10 Years in a beautiful green tube. Both the tube and label have been updated. It looks a little less old-fashioned and classic, clearly aimed at attracting a new, perhaps younger audience. Does it work? Absolutely. The box looks great (though the old one was lovely too). Right at the top sits a printed pot still with the year 1608. That’s the point: this distillery has been around a while.

Below, on the label itself, there’s more about this water of life: triple distilled and matured in bourbon and sherry casks. That tells you straight away you’re holding a sweeter whiskey, which is echoed by the line that follows: “creates rich flavors of honey and vanilla.” It’s Bushmills’ hallmark. The ABV is an easy 40 percent, making this a single malt well-suited to beginners.

Before pouring a glass, you’ll spot that 1608 again on the cap. It’s a curious thought, isn’t it? Living in 2023 and suddenly realizing: 415 years ago people started making this kind of spirit, and folks, just like you and me, were enjoying it. Anyway, back to the whiskey. As soon as you pour the Bushmills 10 Years, you get a gentle aroma followed by citrus.

These are familiar scents, so it’s time to taste. The palate is tickled by vanilla and a touch of spice. There’s a peppery note, but nothing aggressive. This is a very mild, approachable Irish whiskey. The finish is short but present. Considering it costs just around 30 euros, there’s not much to criticize. It’s spot on.

Who is this whiskey for? Anyone who enjoys soft, approachable Irish whiskey that doesn’t overcomplicate things. If you need a birthday gift, €35.99 is a friendly price to give something a little different from, say, Glenfiddich or Monkey Shoulder.

It’s a great way to introduce someone to Irish whiskey. And it’s an easy bottle to keep on your own shelf. If you’ve got Netflix on in the evening and you’re watching something mindless, Bushmills 10 Years is a perfect dram to sip along with it. No fuss, switch off, and just enjoy.

Want more of our reviews? Head to our overview.

+ Extremely approachable and smooth

+ Ideal as a gift

+ Perfect for a quiet evening

- Not for those seeking a complex whisky