Bushmills has unveiled its oldest single malt Whiskey to date, the 30 Year Old New American Oak Cask. The new offering is part of the Causeway Collection, which the Northern Ireland distillery revealed earlier this month.
Bushmills 30 Year Old New American Oak Cask Irish Whiskey initially matured in oloroso Sherry butts and Bourbon barrels, before being finished in new American oak casks for an “unprecedented” 16 years. Bottled at a cask strength of 48.4% ABV in September 2020, it is a non-chill-filtered single malt.
On the nose, the Irish Whiskey offers an immediate rich vanilla intensity, followed by warm wood spice and tropical fruit notes. The palate is sensationally smooth and sweet, with vanilla and chocolate interweaving on the tongue, and a warming spiced coconut. Then the gentle wood note reappears, to remind us of its 30 patient years spent sleeping in oak casks. The finish is described as exceptionally long with toasted oak and sweet vanilla lingering on the palate.
“It’s a privilege to work with such rare whiskeys in The Causeway Collection,” said Bushmills Master Blender Helen Mulholland. “This 30 Year Old New American Oak Cask, our oldest single malt to date, is a truly special Irish single malt. Maturing it for 16 years in the new American oak casks has allowed the sweetness to gradually soften, making it creamier and velvety smooth in texture. I love its tropical fruit notes and hints of spiced coconut alongside the warm and reassuring wood notes.
“I’m immensely proud of how we’ve been able to create such sensational waves of flavour in a 30 year old whiskey. Like the whole Causeway Collection, it’s a celebration of our passion for single malts, our rare and unique casks and our 400 years of whiskey-making heritage.”
Roy Summers, Head of Global Travel Retail at PROXIMO, added, “We are delighted to announce the launch of the 30 Year Old New American Oak Cask as a global travel retail exclusive at Dublin and Cork Airports. Releasing this special single malt into global travel retail is a testament to our commitment to the market and an example of how we are always looking to give travelers something special they can’t find anywhere else. For travelers to Dublin and Cork Airports, what better option than the oldest single malt release from Bushmills, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery?”
The Bushmills 30 Year Old New American Oak Cask will be exclusively available from The Irish Whiskey Collection at Dublin and Cork airports beginning Thursday, December 17, 2020. Only 432 bottles of the extremely rare Whiskey will be made available and will be priced at €700 ($851 USD).