whisky review 549 - Bushmills 10yo Irish Whiskey

[@RedcoatsReturn]

This and Black Bush (back in the 80's) were my companions during my PhD. It led me down the smooth, sweet, honey & vanilla, tripled distilled path and later on to America and bourbon. It reminds me of Cardhu a bit, or rather like what a cognac that thinks its a whisky (or the other way around). I agree, once I saw it in duty free in the 90's I thought it would suffer from commercialization and expansion, though your review comforts me its still pretty good. I will search for the 1608 as you suggest.

[@Tsubak_Yojimbo]

Ralfystuff is the wikipedia of the malt world, I absolutely love him for his reviews and opinions.

[@slanjbo]

I like the 10 year old Bushmills, but the Black Bush blew me away. Such a great value for money!

[@Travsticles88]

You know why they triple distill it? To be sure, to be sure, to be sure

[@MAR3718]

Ralfy greets from Poland. Thank you for the review of Bushmills.

[@MAR3718]

@Hüseyin Erkaya 94,99zł now.

[@herrgrauwolf4862]

Hey Ralfy, I hope you habe a long and healthy and happy life.

[@niallrichardcurran2466]

the 16 year old is quite lovely as well. I love Bushmills, much higher quality than the standard Jameson.. Thanks for this, I always have a bottle of this at home ;)

[@sniper161718]

Agreed!!! I enjoy the 16 more than the 21. The 10 year is such a great whiskey for the price

[@miguelangelo_]

1:50, which is a record for me to subscribing to a channel on KZbin. Very well done, Sir, I really enjoyed learning the history behind Bushmills, a favourite of mine for years now.

[@TheOneGlassMan]

Great review Ralfy! I am having a Bushmills 10 YO dram as a watch the video. My bottle is old -it's been opened for over about 3 years- I have to say, it has benefited from oxigination. I get a strong grapefruit note up front that wasn't there before. Excellent stuff. Thanks

[@eyemallears2647]

10 Yr bushmills was my first love in whisky. An amazing introduction for pals you want to drag into whiskey.

[@iMartino51]

I love this whiskey, my question for you.. what is your favourite Irish whiskey?

[@Aircraftsystemst]

I want to know this in respect to John Jameson!!

[@MrShaka1965]

wow Ralfy. thank you so much. I new the first time I met you here I liked you.to mention a rotary Norton or just rotary in any form, you are the man.I own 2 rotary powered cars. A 1970 Mazda RX2 Coupe and a 1974 Mazda RX4 Coupe.so thanks from Adelaide south Australia my new Malty Rotary mate.

[@DocHorror666]

Hi Ralfy. Bushmills have done single cask, cask strength releases. My father in law has a bottle of 21 yr old single madeira cask. Bottled at cask strength. Its beautiful.

[@thewhiskybothy]

Paul Davies . . . I will look out for that version.

[@Rielestkid]

So interesting that I subscribed to this channel about a year ago, in hopes that you would one day review this whiskey because I had just arrived back home with a bottle straight from Ireland. And on that trip I visited the Old Bushmills distillery. I missed it I guess and am only seeing it now. In this video you also mentioned your salt flats race which you're actually doing right now! So cool. Great video thanks!

[@Malt454]

Nice review, and a good point about corporate ownership not necessarily being of benefit to individual distilleries; Diageo, as the biggest kid on the block, isn't setting much of an example - its priorities to its shareholders, rather than to its customers, is pretty evident at every turn (as if the shareholders weren't going to be well looked after in the current seller's market). Adherents of Adam Smith (who probably haven't actually read him) can rest assured that I do know these ARE businesses which ARE run for profit (evident every time I go to the cash register), but it's a question of having actual commitment to the product, rather than just to the bottom line - many at the top of whisky corporations today would be just as happy if they received bonuses for selling burgers (or anything else), so they have no problem wrecking whisky to drive people to vodka or tequila because, lo and behold, they happen to sell that too. Time-honoured traditions? Just a catch phrase and, if you're not buying it, they move on and sell it to someone else. Nasty and cynical? No, just aware and awake.

[@shuboy05]

Malt454 We shall see how well Bushmills fares under Jose Cuervo or rather Proximo Spirits.

[@Malt454]

shuboy05 True, but we'll always see what happens whenever a distillery changes hands. The larger point, for me, is that corporate acquisition/ownership, by its structure, doesn't tend to lead to product/quality commitment so much as asset management/positioning. Where a distillery becomes "just another division", and is treated as such, products don't tend to improve and marketing budgets just go up to try to smooth it all over.The surest protection against the competition is to buy it out, but it often just leads to bigger companies, not better companies - as constantly shown by the idea that "it's the little guys who have to work harder, do better, and be more innovative". Cheers!

[@shuboy05]

Malt454 The thing that really annoyed me with Diageo was how little they did with Bushmills. They pretty much stuck to the standard line up and kept them at 40% ABV (typical Diageo). Hopefully Proximo does something with them.

[@Malt454]

shuboy05 Usual corporate SOP: play it safe, portray is as "maintaining tradition", wait for the bonus cheque for doing nothing, then move on and repeat. Most who manage distilleries today could never have established them in the first place because they just don't care about the product. Sláinte!

[@shengyang021185]

I respect Diageo, but there is too much truth in this post!

[@harrienelle6471]

The first single malt I ever drank. The one that got me started!

[@georgemacleod7659]

I received a bottle of this as a gift. I really appreciate the scale of economics this whiskey offers. It tastes great and show up many more expensive and celebrated malts. It will now be a regular bottle in the bar.

[@mikehines4707]

I love Irish although I tend to avoid Jameson's personally. My go to Irish is Connemara peated . It's pretty easy to get here in Madrid although I do tend to get a turpentiney flavor. Quick question I've watched a few Richard Paterson videos and he's very " if you hold the bowl of the glass I'll kill you" how much of an effect does this have on the drink thanks Ralfy

[@KPX-nl4nt]

I bought this before watching any reviews and I have to say that Ralfy nailed this one. For me, the nose is a lot like a honeyed Speyside...smells wonderful! The palate just doesn’t measure up. It’s fine, just not exceptional. It’s a bit like how Johnnie Walker Blue’s flavor doesn’t compare to the amazing nose.

[@GavinskisTutorials]

I’m surprised to hear no mention of the strong taste of jasmine green tea which beautifully offsets the delicious buttery sweetness. A very enjoyable and affordable dram.

[@philipeagleton8447]

Yes, I've been a little disappointed with Blackbush of late. The cask quality eh? I wondered what it was. Still, it won't put me off buying the 10YO. Informative as ever. Nice one Ralfy!!

[@thewhiskybothy]

Philip Eagleton . . . it appears to be cask quality, particularly the sherry casks.

[@benduffy6219]

I've been so eager for you to review this whiskey that I considered offering to ship you a bottle, thus making for a 10,000+ miles round trip! Looking at my own tasting notes from one of the several bottles of Bushmills 10 that I've enjoyed, it said "Sweet, clean, nutty, grainy, eminently drinkable, great with a little water." Good to see that a more experienced palate than my own came to similar conclusions.

[@maximus8119]

Hey ralfy Im just getting into whiskey and im thinking of starting collecting but im very new to the whole thing. Ive found i enjoy whiskeys without the strong wood taste im not sure if that's sacrilege to say but is there a certain way of making whiskey where it doesn't have that strong wood taste so can avoid it to be clear when i drink jameson i dont get that over powering wood taste for example. Love the channel btw keep it up

[@danhammer106]

Irish Kiing Of the more gentle and light sort, you may find Teeling blend to be a pleasant, accessible dram to move things further. But I have just a brief experience with that style.

[@chadwallace3598]

Why do you put water in it before even tasting it? Maybe that’s why you found it “flat”.

[@redlightsprinter]

i just chose this as my St Patrick's Day Dram, very happy i did.

[@dssin]

Gregory Dickeson cheers just got me a bottle myself love it

[@redlightsprinter]

@@dssin in Canada 40$ puts it at the same price of most budget scotch blends. For a 10yr single it's definitely not my last bottle.

[@showingYOUtheworld]

I just bought a bottle. It was on a discount price for a 35 leva wich is around 17€ euro. I am pretty sure, that fot this price it will be amazing whiskey 😉

[@HamiltonBailie]

Really enjoying your knowledge and presentation. Thank you!

[@rubenevensen2948]

Hey Ralfy. Which of Talisker 10, Cragganmore 12 and Caol Ila 12 would you recommend most? They're the same price in my country. Thanks very much, been following your channel for years!

[@mirqo9657]

Rina Ljungquist (All 3 are still decent single malts, on my op). I would go for Caol Ila 12. cheers.

[@rubenevensen2948]

mirqo Thanks, i did end up keeping the Caol Ila 12, and it was a good choice. I like it's pear notes on the nose, the flavours on the palate and the amount of smoke. It was strangely better the second time i tasted it, and others have been saying the same. I guess something happens very quickly when you open it.

[@mirqo9657]

Rina Ljungquist I pour a small dram with just a fraction of water and leave It for approx. 10 minutes in a glass. It works fine for me. .well, you know, one has to find hers/his own way, after all :).

[@Rallerboy888]

Ralfy, is there any chance that you'll do 720p60 for us? Just for the novelty.

[@alexwiebe1558]

So with Irish whiskies, what would you recommend as far as a more flavourful, rich, and complex whiskey?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . Redbreat and Greenspot.

[@folkmarcmetal]

Hey Ralfy, really enjoying your reviews, i used to drink mostly bourbon or blends like jim beam/jack daniels/famous grouse but your enthusiasm convinced me to get some single malt whiskey, so i got this Bushmills 10yo. Not quite get the taste notes you do but i enjoy it nonetheless. Kind regards from the Netherlands

[@en3rgieboy]

ralfy you need to start shooting in 1080p

[@dougbulldog9947]

I've had a bottle or two of the 10 year old recently, as it is bottled at 40% I didn't think to add water until I watched Ralfy, indeed it is better with just a wee drop or two of H2O

[@Tylervrooman]

ive been away for a while, nice to be back! Ralfy keeps going!

[@pi17835]

I tried four Whiskeys from Bushmills: Black Bush (Blend), 10y (Single Malt), Three Woods 16y (Single Malt) and the 1608 Anniversary (Blend). Neither was bad, but Three Woods and 1608 Anniversary are my clear favorites. Sadly, the Three Woods became quite expensive in Germany (~ 60€ from a bit over 40€ when I bought it before), luckily the Price of the 1608 Anniversary decreased and is just below 35€ today... so I know which Bushmills will be my next (unless the Three Wood gets cheaper, but I wouldn't bet on that)

[@maumful]

Frank G. K. גמל Für einen 21 Jährigen ist der aber noch relativ günstig. Bei anderen Marken sinds meist weit über 100 Euro. Ich frag mich immer noch wie Glenfarclas einen 25 Jährigen für nur 90 Euro anbieten kann.

[@plm203]

So which is the longest-running distillery if not Bushmills?

[@MrChippinator]

I'm actually drinking this right now, it's pretty good considering I bought a 40oz at duty free, but I really do not think it as good as the Tyrconnell in the same price range.

[@bronovalter391]

I thought I finally found an Irish whiskey that I really like and now you're telling me it is scotch! On the other hand, scotch prices are skyrocketing here and Bushmills 10 yr old is still at a reasonable $42 for 750 ml.

[@drifterman319]

"Coca-Cola or cream soda". Aaagh! Out loud was my reaction. Makes sense why I remember hearing somebody saying many, many years ago that Bushmills is closer to a scotch. Totally understandable why given the region.

[@FretFriendGWaL]

My favourite Irish...

[@andrewculp1984]

I'd be interested in a comparison, on the milling processes, in comparison to the bourbon processes.

[@psytrance11]

Hello Ralfy ! Could you please review the 16 and 21 year old ?

[@earlgrey6375]

Odd thing here in North Carolina, our wiskey shops are owned by the state so we are restricted to drinking government approved wiskey. My favorite daily sipper, Bushmill Honey (I know I know, but I like it) has dissppeared from the shelves. I wonder if the Irish Mist corporate folks paid NC government wiskey peddlers to stop carrying this cheaper (albeit much poorer quality) honey wiskey blend?

[@thewhiskybothy]

Earl Grey . . . we know what human nature can be like when people are in positions of some power over communities.

[@TheGavranatar]

any chance of a review of the new Loch Fyne 'living cask' Ralfy me boy? shop keep twisted my arm and sold me a bottle. wouldn't be sure of it

[@brockagh]

If you want to try a double distilled, peated (slightly) Bushmills, try the Teeling stock from 1988 and 1991... A lot if independents bottle this too. Also, the 1608 thing is a marketing thing. The distillery wasn't on site until the 18th century...

[@NinthSettler]

Hello Ralfy. I have one of these en route to me. If you have any time to re-review it in 2023, i'd greatly appreciate it!

[@markevans1973]

love ralphy, he really knows his stuff !

[@Ivo--]

I also like the 16yo but the colouring on that is crazy. It's like blood orange!

[@Jasongvl]

Hi Ralfy. I came across a Single Malt that may interest you when I was going through a tasting set. It's called Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (Cask Strength). A very very rich taste creamy-caramal-fudge like. Hope this helps :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

***** . . . good versions of a Taiwanese Distillery "finding it's feet"

[@shuboy05]

***** Since my parents were both born in Taiwan, I really want to try Kavalan. Sadly their prices are a bit high at the moment.

[@Jasongvl]

shuboy05 You can buy a "sample" from masterofmalt.com for a few quid for a 30ml dram :)

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks for the review Ralfy. I have to be honest and say, I have only sampled, Jamesons. When it comes to Irish Whiskey. Maybe it's time to delve a little deeper.

[@freddieslaughter1107]

I am looking for a single malt that is very SMOOTH. Something easy to drink with little burn.

[@AtheistVitalist]

Jameson.

[@jonathansterne7429]

My friend works there and I got to try 16yo sherry matured whisky at cask strength while there. Was truely amazing

[@TheMavewick]

I am a beer lover from France (yes beer, though seemingly less noble, comes in all shapes and flavors and i pride myself in knowing my way around it) who recently decided to try and switch to a less carb heavy beverage for personnal reasons and go to whiskey, you are the absolute perfect video host. This calm and soft charisma of yours truely encourages me to discover this new territory (with moderation as always). Started with what's available in the supermarket and bars around Paris. I do have a preference for "softer in mouth" beverages or liquors that give a lot besides the "attack". So far i am fond of the Glennfidich 12 as a go-to with friends (so easy !) or the Lagavulin 16 for myself if i'm going to have a single drink at a bar (different from anything i knew before, strange to my palate !) or Jameson 12 if i go for the occasionnal plenty. Any recommendation of a good next pick to enjoy ? Keep on doing what you are doing sir, my friends and I can't get enough of you insightful reviews since i discovered your channel !

[@thewhiskybothy]

TheMavewick . . . happy to help with your malt-moments !

[@mirqo9657]

TheMavewick Not Ralfy but also a malt and (kind of a) beer lover..My next pick would be either Highland Park 12 or Benromach 10 (new version, see Ralfy 511). Cheers mate.

[@TheMavewick]

Thanks mate ! Appreciated !

[@mirqo9657]

TheMavewick Youre welcome :).

[@TheMavewick]

mirqo So in case you're still feeling helpful, i didn't find the Highland Park in the supermarket, but found this marvellous establishment called "Maison du Whiskey" in Paris which sells it as well as COUNTLESS others. We're going to have a little introduction to it this weekend with colleagues/friends who told me they enjoy the malt as well at my place (probably are much more experience than i am, i toold them if they wanted to come full handed they could bring a bottle of their favorite !). Now i have a question : so far i am clearly not used to tasting this type of strong beverage out of the bottle and tell all too much if i like it that much more than another, and tend to put a little more water in it than usually advised (about 1 volume of water for 4 volumes of whiskey, seems like the sweet spot for me, i really get the differences then). Is that acceptable from a palate used to much softer beverages or does this completely ruin the purpose ? Thanks again mate !

[@nickwoodward1511]

I quite like it..but think the cheaper black bush at 43 percent is more interesting.

[@TheSoteriologist]

I hope he is setting things up for a Teeling Single Malt review here. I wonder how long that one will retain the quality infused into it by the over 20 year old whisky in it. Would love to hear Ralfy's speculations on that !

[@INK46]

Can you please make a video of your top ten whiskey brands, I don't know if you made one already. You have so many videos I don't want to look if you did.

[@Domini_k]

Ralfy, can you do a review on aged single malts which are under £100 and have a good caliber of quality. The prices of single malts are going through the roof, highland park 18 is now touching £100 a bottle.

[@mirqo9657]

Resident evil Hi. I would go for Glencadam 21 (avaliable online for 71+ pounds..good price for an excellent whisky.)

[@vergecryptocurrency4552]

hi ralfy. have you come across a new irish boutique destillers named tipperary? bought a bottle of their new 11yo single malt today. 1916 rising 100 yr edition.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . sounds interesting, I hope it tastes good !

[@vergecryptocurrency4552]

Hopefully. I will let you know :-). Great channel by the way. Your fellow irish malt mate

[@johncarder819]

Was it 84 or 86? You said 84, but put the 86 card up.

[@thewhiskybothy]

John Carder . . . I did, 84 to start with then 86 as the dram opens-up.

[@Shadowguy456234]

Splitting the difference here but I believe it said 85 ;)

[@poudelbhim]

Hello Malty Ralfy, i am your new fan!

[@andrewculp1984]

got to taste a bit at a friend's house. we enjoyed it a lot.

[@wavyavy]

Just to let you know this is now on sale at amazon for £18! I also purchased Aberlour 10yo for £20!

[@The_Bookshelf_Life]

16 year old next, please!

[@darthvader7780]

miss the triskellion in the background. What happened?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . it broke !

[@heinerlauter1211]

love irish whiskeys, the scots are so full , they forget to do their homework.

[@ironbooze2937]

heiner lauter isn't it rather depending on taste than on quality?

[@heinerlauter1211]

i think you re right!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

+heiner lauter I also love the Irish 'poteen' - it is a different drink to Scotch, which i also love - Tullomore Dew was a nice drop.

[@andreturbide9757]

hello Ralfy. Iwas wondering if you could review the bunnahabhain ceobanach for me

[@thewhiskybothy]

andre turbide . . . no plans, it does not have an age statement.

[@andreturbide9757]

thank you for your quick reply. I enjoy your reviews. They make me a more informed beginner. Andre.T

[@LowGrav1ty]

A whole teaspoon of water... Never seen that before lol :)

[@Aircraftsystemst]

Ireland Ralfy!! You mentioned double distilled NO I do not agree.

[@RadioLaboratory]

Tullemore Dew jus came out w/its own ver of ye ol Scottish hi-end shel game= NAS @ 55%abv. et 2 Bruté ??...say it ain't so Joe!!

[@beloved_lover]

I love the 10yo Bushmills when I am looking for something bit cheaper. I gotta admit that I like to drink Bushmills Black Bush with Coca-Cola sometimes ;)

[@abraham2174]

82 would be more appropriate

[@bonjoast]

Thanks for the malt mention Ralfy!

[@thewhiskybothy]

Sidney Stratton . . . your welcome.

[@Aaron-mn8gw]

red bush

[@lyness1217]

Complaining about the taste on the palate not matching the nosing yet adds water to a 40%...

[@alexk3088]

Adding water is about much more than lowering abv.

[@kaiserhog]

Auchentoshan is my favorite "Irish" whisky and it is $20-$30 less than Redbreast-Green Spot.

[@stephenhall151]

Auchentoshan is scottish

[@aferguson850]

You know whats really saddening? When some Americans refuse to drink bushmills because it's a "protestant whiskey"

[@thewhiskybothy]

aferguson850 . . . the World is changing and changing fast, all sectarian negativity wherever it may be or whatever it's form is increasingly identified as a species self-harming.

[@aferguson850]

***** Hopefully soon. I'm actually from Northern Ireland myself and never heard anything like that before till I went to the US. Bigots tend to be the same really even of they're under different banners

[@mirqo9657]

aferguson850 Sadly but true, malt mate..and I really hope Ralfy is right..hopefully soon!

[@davejss]

Well, I'm from a Boston suburb and I've drinking whisky for most of my adult life and I have never once encountered whisky bigotry. I doubt any of my colleagues are even aware that Bushmills is a "protestant" whisky.

[@aferguson850]

davejss Ah I don't mean that all americans are like that. I'm sure if I looked hard enough I could find similar views in ireland

[@heinzlf5203]

i can't handle my brown

[@purepk3rz4]

First! !

[@thewhiskybothy]

therapistznd . . . verified First !

[@solncevskiya9850]

***** not a great deal...Black Bush, Original and 10 yo malt in Triple distillation more rough and blind (70|100) than Classic double in Cooley..I like more Kilbeggan & Connemara for easy drinking & character and well price, than this are heavy commercial brands..However, only Port matured Bushmills 16 and some Single cask's releases have to look in future

[@ulbedaemen6087]

3 year old :)

[@daj021]

Discusting!!!! You don't mix Bushmills with cream soda!...NO!...You mix cream soda with Carlsberg Special Brew!

[@dimitrisp.7367]

You are late this time for the next video....:P

[@nalafaun1505]

nothing worse than spillage

[@redrich2000]

Bushmills? That's protestant whiskey.

[@thewhiskybothy]

redrich2000 . . . was ! the World has moved on.

[@mirqo9657]

***** Blast..I have never heard of "protestant", "catholic", "orthodox"...etc..whisk(e)y..that would be such a great material for a good old Monthy Pythons sketch.

[@davejss]

Ah religion. Even whiskey isn't immune from religious nonsense?

[@TheBritishLegions]

+ralfystuff this a quote from the Wire - tv series.. McNulty the character drank Jameson : )

[@redrich2000]

+redrich2000 I replied earlier to this but it didn't go through. Yes, quoting the Wire. I'm from Australia and my religion is whisky!

[@yerlee4]

had this the other day and I wouldn't recommend it. disappointed for its hype