| ABV |
40% |
|---|---|
| Aging |
Oloroso Sherry Casks |
| Recipe |
Grain and Malt Whiskies |
| Distiller | Bushmills (Bushmills, N. Ireland) |
This whisky is triple distilled, and matured in sherry casks. It is darker than the other Bushmills, hence “black” (not that caramel doesn't help) – the whisky is crafted in the style of a blended scotch from a mix of grain and malt whiskies.
Review (2015)
Batch: N/A
Bottling Code: N/A
Bottling Date: 2015
Nose: Pears jump out first, with some nice sherry caramel and cola notes. It’s still quite a bit grassy, and retains that honeydew note present in the standard Bushmills. Vanilla comes out a bit as it sits, not only on the nose but also on the palate. Sometimes I get some a touch of staleness in the nose too.
Taste: The grains are quite a bit at work here. There’s vanilla, caramel, lots of toffee, and more of that pear…. with a good kick of barley and honey at the end as well. The body, sweetness, and balance are all nicely in place.
Finish: A light bit of “rancio” character which melds with the pear, honey, and honeydew. Lightly nutty, earthy, and spicy as well. Overall, though, quite bright and fruity.
A lot of pear in here, and it is built well around it. Deeper, better tasting, and longer than the standard Bushmills – very nicely crafted. Incredible value for this whisky – there aren’t many bottles (in Canada certainly) better than this for under $40, and certainly none in the fruity malt category.
Highly Recommended (48% of all whiskies I’ve reviewed to date get this recommendation or higher).
Value: High, based on $37.
Review (2018)
Batch: N/A
Bottling Code: L7186IB001 11:03
Bottling Date: 2017
Very fruity, as with the other bushmills blended whiskies – but this one is darker and loaded with spice. Apple juice, nutmeg, clove, and almost an armagnac-like spicy richness to this. Pear and peach, too. The palate is spicy, with lots of clove and dried apple, dried apricot, figs, and finishing with a mixed bag of dried fruit. Rancio – ever so lightly. The finish brings in a sudden earthiness which is terrific, alongside light oak, almonds, and light spice. Very pleasant „grip” on the finish.
Highly Recommended (48% of all whiskies I’ve reviewed to date get this recommendation or higher).
Value: High, based on $37.
