Bushmills unveils oldest Irish single malt ever released

Bushmills Irish Whiskey, the pioneers of smooth single malt Irish whiskey, proudly unveils the oldest Irish single malt ever released: Bushmills 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of the River Bush’.

Meticulously cared for by two generations of whiskey makers, 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of the River Bush’ infuses the legacy of decades and time-honoured secrets in every sip.

Only three hundred bottles of this exceptionally rich, dark liquid exist, making it a rare and historic must-have for the most discerning whiskey lover.

This sublime single malt is a stunning celebration of the River Bush and its journey over the beds of black basalt rock – the same iconic rock that’s synonymous with the world-famous Giant’s Causeway.

Flowing through the heart of Bushmills since the whiskey’s story began in 1608, the water has played an intrinsic role in every drop of Bushmills Irish Whiskey for over 415 years – embodying its restless spirit and an insatiable appetite to push boundaries.

Matured for almost half a century in the Oloroso sherry butts from the Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain which imbue it with its deep and rich mahogany hue, this rare and precious Irish single malt is an artful marriage of Bushmills’ most elusive reserves, dating back to 1978.

Commenting on the release, Bushmills Master Blender, Alex Thomas said: “This isn’t just a smooth, rare single malt whiskey, this is real history in the making.

"For 46 years, we’ve patiently watched over this remarkable liquid and witnessed it transform into this rich, dark beauty. This is Bushmills at its best.”

"On the nose, there is a unique harmony of delectable ripe dark fruits, sweet apricot, caramel and gentle waves of warm oak. What follows is an intensely rich and spicy medley of cinnamon, crushed clove and nutmeg aromatic spice.

"This then develops into delightfully sweet black cherries and apricots, before finally giving way to waves of roasted coffee, oak and warm toffee. The finish is smooth yet robust, with luscious and lingering spiced fruit.

Alex continues: “This stunning whiskey just shows you what time can do. For nearly half a century it has gradually breathed in the wood and matured slowly. It’s rich and authentic, and full of flavour straight from the cask – creating a bold unprecedented experience for the whiskey connoisseur.”

Bushmills 46 Year Old ‘Secrets of the River Bush’ is beautifully housed in a bespoke handcrafted hexagonal presentation box.

Each intricate detail of the walnut case pays tribute to the River Bush, Bushmills village and the undulations of the surrounding landscape. The gold engraving along the centre of the box reflects the journey of the River Bush to the Old Bushmills Distillery, the same course it’s taken through the millennia before Bushmills began distilling in 1608.

202\5 is proving to be a monumental year for Bushmills. Alongside launching the oldest Irish single malt ever to be released, the brand will also launch its most innovative expression yet: Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt.

This groundbreaking new whiskey expands the illustrious Prestige Collection comprised of 25, 30 and 31 Year Old Single Malts. Crafted using a special process which crystallises sugars in the malted barley before distillation, 26 Year Old Crystal Malt boasts rich and indulgent flavours of caramel and creamy chocolate, enhanced by decades of ageing in oak.

The launch of these exceptionally rare expressions is a testament to Bushmills’ passion for progress and dedication to exciting consumers with unparallelled expressions. Never satisfied with standing still – always relentless in the pursuit of perfection.

‘Secrets of the River Bush’ is bottled at 46.3% ABV and only 38 sequentially numbered bottles will be made available in Ireland from 17th March with an RRP of €12000/£10000. Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt is bottled at 46% ABV and will be made available across the island of Ireland from April 2025 with an RRP of £850/ €950.

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