Bushmills Black Bush

Does your preferred Irish blend have more to do with your initial experience rather than any objective measure of quality? Quick test: which is yours? Is it Jameson or Tullamore? Or is it Bushmills? If you're American, it's likely one of these three. I've never encountered anyone whose introduction to the category was Powers. Those introduced today have more options than my generation did: Teeling, Busker, Writer's Tears. But in the past, there was a trinity: Bushmills, Jameson, and Tully. For me, the introduction was Jameson. I ordered it constantly. On the rocks. And I thought I was the shit because most of my friends were drinking Yeungling. But I hated beer. So, yeah. Jameson on the rocks. And initially, I got intoxicated more quickly than they did. Then I built up a tolerance. Then the bar ran out of Jameson and suggested Tully, and I thought, but that's not my brand. But honestly, how much of a difference is there? I don't consume a lot of blended Irish anymore. If I purchase Irish, it's generally Green Spot or Redbreast. I actually have an affection for Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye as my budget Irish. I believe Writer's Tears is overrated. The Double Oak is good, but approximately $15 too expensive. The Copper Pot is decent but approximately $15 too expensive. I've tried Teeling Blackpitts, which is incredible but also $75 so it's not exactly an everyday purchase, and I have yet to explore Teeling Small Batch, though I'm tempted. When it comes to blended, I like Bushmills Red. It's $21, so it's less expensive than both Tully and Jameson, and it's comparable to Mills White but the bourbon finish gives it an advantage that the white doesn't possess. So the next question becomes, is Red superior to Black? It's difficult to say because the last time I had a bottle of the Red was St. Patty's Day 2020. And this bottle of Black, being the first one I'm sampling, is from June 2022, a small portion I've poured from a bottle I purchased as part of a gift for my wife's Mother's Day (I got her other items too and made her brunch, but she also enjoys Irish whisky, so it's fitting to include a bottle). Whereas the Red Bush is finished in bourbon barrels, this is finished in sherry, so there's that distinction. Both are sweet but different in nature. I'm uncertain if one is definitively better than the other, but I can certainly state they're both superior to White Bush. The palate here consists of golden apple and vanilla and isn't as grainy as most other Irish blends, so it has that going for it, as I've always felt the cheerios quality of Jameson and Tully suggests they feel immature, and there isn't the metallic hint here that is present with those, but I don't recall that being present with Red Bush either. I sampled this at $29, so compared to the Red Bush this is $8 more, and I'm not convinced this is so much better to warrant the cost. In fact, I'd say they were comparable and the actual choice is the question between sherry barrels and bourbon barrels, so it will ultimately depend on your preference and how much you intend to spend. Both are likely good deals. I think the Black Bush also contains older whiskies in the blend, so there's that factor, but in a blend, I'm not sure how much one notices that. There's virtually no finish, but that's to be anticipated. I'm quite sure these are intended to be consumed on the rocks. And I'm evaluating them by a higher standard by tasting them neat, but aren't we all curious as to what they taste like on their own with no embellishments? And that's all from me, folks. We're approaching bedtime and "dry July." This is the last open bottle I have that I hadn't reviewed. And now I'm finished. See you at the end of the summer, you motherfuckers.

Appearance: In the glass, it's a lovely, rich golden amber. Perfectly clear and refined, just as one would expect from a high-quality Irish whiskey. Nose: It presents a traditional Irish whiskey aroma, with soft vanilla and oak at the forefront. A subtle hint of smoke lies beneath, layered over a faint, sweet base. Taste: "Smooth" hardly does it justice. The palate is immediately met with sweetness – distinct vanilla and caramel, followed by light oak and the barest trace of smoke. There's no alcohol burn or harshness. It's a silky, triple-distilled smoothness that feels almost like pure spring water. It's balanced and easy to drink, without any cloying thickness – just a natural sweetness from the grains that leaves a delicate impression. Exceptionally easy to sip, even when only slightly chilled. Overall Impression: A $35 bottle that offers exceptional value for its price. It isn't overly complex, but it doesn't need to be. It excels at what it does – with understated elegance. This is why Bushmills remains the world's oldest licensed distillery. Would I purchase again? Definitely. If my budget permitted, this would be my everyday choice without hesitation. --- 📝 A Poem for Black Bush by Anonymous Golden as dusk in an old oak glass, You rest like a hymn that forgets to pass. No fire to burn, no storm to shout — Just quiet sweetness, spilling out. Vanilla whispers, caramel sighs, A touch of oak where stillness lies. Not a roar, but a river’s run — Smooth as spring thaw in Irish sun. You are not bold, and you are not loud, But you carry the weight of a centuries’ vow. And on my lover’s tongue tonight, You bloomed — gentle, golden, right. — Anonymous

Lately, I've been exploring Irish Whiskies. Upon reading on a friend's profile that their preferred dive-bar spirit is Bushmill’s Black Bush, I decided to sample it this New Year's Eve before going out with friends. The color is a muted khaki amber (Pantone 142). The nose presents golden raisins, apple pie, brown sugar, a hint of orange oil, ripe starfruit, and ripe banana. The mouthfeel has a gentle quality as it coats the tongue; the palate reveals light sherry and some sugared vanilla. On the finish, there's a touch of woody, tannic bitterness alongside more vanilla. I tried Bushmill’s Black Bush because a friend mentioned it's their go-to dive bar choice. I can understand why. It has some age, is finished in sherry casks, and is quite drinkable, albeit a bit straightforward. But dive bars, which I enjoy, aren't about complex spirits; they're about other elements. If the next dive bar I visit has it, I'll probably order it. Bushmill’s Black Bush costs around $40. Would I purchase it again? Yes. It's not an exceptional value, especially given the minimal 40% ABV, but it seems to fill a specific need right now. 3.25 on the scale. 40% ABV. 8-year age statement (not on label; per company website). Contains E150a coloring. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

My initial impression of this spirit is one of surprise: the peach aroma on the nose is peculiar at first until you recognize the fruity scent that defines it. On the palate, the peach is less intense but remains very prominent, drawing significant attention in the finish, where its presence is still delicately noticeable. While it's a straightforward spirit, this fruity characteristic, if not consciously perceived, imparts a very pleasant sweetness to the mouth, along with a freshness that makes it highly drinkable.

To be candid, I've sampled the "80/20 black bush" where 80% malt was aged in oloroso sherry casks. However, I believe this has been re-released under a new name exclusively for travel retailers (duty-free). If you desire something smooth, easy to drink, affordable, and you aren't specifically seeking high complexity, this is your choice... but allow it to breathe:) The nose presents sherry sweetness, caramelized fruits (raisin, dried plum), and very pleasant oak (if you appreciate it). Initially, it slightly resembled grappa. With aeration, this grappa-like sharpness diminishes. On the palate, it's exceptionally smooth due to the 7-11 years of sherry cask maturation and because it's Irish, not Scotch:). More fruit emerges, and the caramelized character is more prominent. It's genuinely sweet. The finish is longer than anticipated considering its price (I paid 29€/liter at duty-free) with a hint of dried orange peel.

Among Irish whiskey blends, this is my preferred choice. Its worth significantly exceeds that of Jameson and numerous other Irish blends. Not only is its cost low compared to many others, but it also performs admirably in almost any cocktail requiring an Irish whiskey blend. The aroma features apples and pears. The palate continues from the aroma. I detect vanilla, hay, and malt, but it circles back to the apples and pears from the nose, transporting you to an orchard. The finish has a slight burn, but it's not unpleasant and it lasts longer than most blends. A hint of sweetness and grain conclude it. Drinking this neat might not be spectacular, but it's still acceptable, and considering its versatility in most cocktails that call for blends, it's an easy recommendation.