Bushmills 10 Years Old (40%, OB, 2015)

• Category: Single malt Irish whiskey
• Origin: Bushmills Distillery
• Bottling: Official
• ABV: 40%
• Cost: £27.84
• Score: 83/100

What they say:

So‚ the first of the single malts‚ and one that will leave you with an exceptionally smooth finish. The distinctive Bushmills light fruity aroma travels over the lip of your tumbler to deliver 10 years of maturation mostly in bourbon seasoned barrels. That old Kentucky spirit becomes melted chocolate and honey that sits on the tongue and‚ for me‚ slightly dries the back of the throat.

NOSE:

Light fruity and spicy aromas.

TASTE:

Melted chocolate that rests on the tongue before releasing a hint of honey in your cheeks.

FINISH:

Crisp and clean‚ gently dies off.

What I say:

Dram #3 during the #BushmillsWhiskey Tweet tasting hosted by Steve @TheWhiskyWire

Colour:

Pale amber gold (6/20), slow medium-sized droplet tears leaving well-defined medium-fine legs

Nose:

Spiced rub, savoury and meaty/bbq, crisp apple & pear, chutney, plastic book covers, vanilla & Demerara opens to mixed fruit jellies and hints of vanilla, getting the foam bananas now

Taste:

Thinner than the Black Bush expression, cinnamon & nutmeg spiced rich vanilla custard, apple sauce, cereal/oaty and flour-y

Finish:

Medium, spiced cereal malt with a touch of honey and custard

Overall:

A robust and refined single malt for their entry-level expression aged at 10 years old. I am more reminded of Scotch whisky than typical Irish pot still whiskey when drinking this. Beautifully light and flavourful.