Bushmills is a true legend in the whiskey world, being the oldest licensed distillery on the planet. With over 400 years of history, whiskey production in the village of Bushmills, Northern Ireland, dates back to 1608, when the area was officially granted a license to distill. Since then, generation after generation, tradition and craftsmanship have been passed down, preserving the essence and quality that make Bushmills a prominent name in the world of single malt whiskeys.
What makes Bushmills whiskey so unique is not just its longevity but also the local terroir. The water used in production is drawn from the River Bush, which flows over beds of basalt rock, contributing to the distinctive character of the whiskey. Moreover, Bushmills is more than just a production site – it’s a community united by its passion for whiskey. As they often say, “without the village, there would be no whiskey, and without the whiskey, there would be no village.”
True to its roots, Bushmills has remained steadfast in the production of single malt whiskey, even when, in the 19th century, the British Crown imposed a tax on barley, leading many distilleries to substitute it with lower-quality grains. Bushmills resisted, continuing to produce its award-winning whiskey exclusively with malted barley.
International recognition soon followed. Bushmills’ malt whiskey was widely celebrated, winning the only gold medal for whiskey at the 1889 Paris Expo, further solidifying its global reputation.
At Bushmills, the past meets the present in every drop of whiskey, in a distillery that continues to be synonymous with excellence and tradition.
“We’re not good because we’re old, we’re old because we’re good.”
Colum Egan, Master Distiller
