Review #: 15
Description: Bushmills Single Malt 12 Year Distillery Reserve
Spirit: Irish Whiskey
Background: Back to Bushmills, this was the 12 Year Single Malt that was only available at the distillery. I was able to get this bottle when I visited the distillery back in 2015. Let’s see how it is.
Distillery – Bushmills
Bottler – Bushmills
Brand – Bushmills
Selection – N/A
ABV – 40%
Age – 12 Years
Nose – Rich oak, dark fruit, earthy grain
Taste – Cherry, chocolate with some subtle oak
Finish – Sweet apple, short heat, oaky spice
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? Maybe? If I did, it would be purely sentimental.
Thoughts: Here’s another bottle that I have a lot of sentimental value in. I’m a complete sucker for distillery exclusives, since every time I reach for it, I’m reminded of being there. When I visited Bushmills, it was within the first few months of dating my now wife. We went and toured the distillery and then went for a walk along the beach in Portrush and that date really solidified us as being a couple. So when I reach for this bottle, that always the thought that comes to mind. When I try to break it down, its a good and enjoyable whiskey, though the short finish and low proof keep it from being great, and probably not worth the distillery premium, but to me it’s one of my favorite bottles.