Malt Mission 2010 #395

Bushmills 16yo

Irish Single Malt Whiskey

40% abv

£50

$80 (USD)

Still in the snow-covered highlands. We had a short thaw, but otherwise my month in Dufftown has been a winter wonderland. Hope I get out of Aberdeen on Wednesday. Hope you get where you need to be for Christmas, too. Have a happy one, drambassadors.

The last of a string of Irish tasted here on the mission, this one comes from Ireland's oldest distillery. In this case, not only is it triple distilled but matured in three different casks: ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-port. The crazy bit is that it is matured in each of these casks in succession.

TASTING NOTES:

Sweet and candied, raw corn on the cob, extrememly fruity, blackberry squash, blueberry buns, orange syrup.

If the nose was sweet the palate is beyond. Gummy bears, grape candy, blueberry jam. Juicy, soft, really easy to drink.

SUMMARY:

I might give this a go as my new conversion whisky, one for the folks who say "I hate whisk(e)y" or for the American whiskey drinker who has sworn off anything else. This is likely as close to flavoured whisky as is legal. In fact, blind, I would have been puzzled, for sure, probably thought it was Canadian (they can add 9.09% "other").

Worlds better than I remember the 10yo (Malt Mission #82) but I am not sure I would ever reach for this were it on my shelf. Sure, I like my sweet whiskies, but this is like kids grape juice boxes or something. If the craving struck, I would probably just enjoy a glass of grape juice and have a Talisker DE before bed.

Second opinions from the guys at Edinburgh Whisky Blog.

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Malt Mission 2010 #392

Bushmill's Black Bush

Blended Irish Whiskey

40% abv

£22

$35 (USD)

First thing I want to mention is THIS blog creating a whisky advent calendar, something I swore I would do "next year" every year since since 2006. It is in Swedish, and seeing as you already drink like a viking, it is about time you learned how to speak like one.

Now, back to Black Bush. No, not THIS Black Bush, the Northern Irish, award-winning blend from Ireland's oldest working distillery which has been owned by the two global spirit giants: Jameson owners Pernod Ricard (1987-2005) and Diageo 2005- present. Still practicing triple distillation of their malt whiskey, Black Bush is 20% matured grain whiskey blended with 80% malt matured in sherry-seasoned casks.

I was supposed to in Dublin today to meet with my global colleagues but the weather has scared those of us on this snow-covered island into staying put.

For all Bushmills had on the mission, click HERE.

TASTING NOTES:

Grass, grapes, apple cider, raisin and soft anise on the surface with brown sugar, nuts, and Christmas cake at deeper levels.

Nuts again, wood, honey, and more raisins. Simultaneously fresh, light, and rich.

SUMMARY:

Really nice balance in this whiskey, certainly quaffable but also sippable with enough going on to keep you entertained.

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Malt Mission 2007 #82

Bushmills Malt 10yo
Single Malt Irish Whisky
40% abv
£24
40.85(CAD)
$35(USD)

The first Irish I have had in this Malt Mission.

Like Scottish distilleries Auchentoshan and Hazelburn, Bushmills in Ireland is made from two different kinds of malts, one unpeated and one slightly peated, and is triple distilled in the traditional Irish way. Only 16 miles west of Islay, Bushmills insists it is the oldest distillery in the world. True? Not true? Don't really care right now.

It is the largest distillery in Ireland and, in addition to this 10 year old, produces a 16 year old Triple Wood and a 21 year old, as well as blends Black Bush, 1608, and Original.

This dram is raised to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of an inviting, inspiring, and impossibly hilarious Ed Musial.

TASTING NOTES:

Corn syrup, Sprite or 7-Up, wine spritzer. Sour apples, goat's cheese, some spice. Not overly inviting.

Hot on the tongue. Raw corn, burnt toffee, old moldy/mouldy wood. Bran. Green apples, brown sugar and oak.

SUMMARY:

None of us really understand... why? Could be our mood. But Jed still managed to down three drams while Beth and I sat reluctantly drinking our first. Either way, God bless you, Ed. Cheers, Slainthe, and know you are loved.

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