Bushmills Distillery just launched a 46-year-old limited-edition expression called ‘Secrets of the River Bush’. Hyper-aged Irish whiskey is nothing new these days, but this new expression is the oldest Irish single malt whiskey ever released. Bushmills’ distilling operations can be traced back to the year 1608, and it feels appropriate that the oldest licensed distillery on the planet now holds the title for oldest Irish single malt.
This release also comes at a time when both Irish whiskey and high-end spirits are bucking overall industry trends. The Irish whiskey category saw a 13% increase in exports last year, and consumers continue to show interest in ultra-premium spirits, accounting for 4.8% of the total market in 2024.
Bushmills 46 Year Old “Secrets of The River Bush” is housed in a handcrafted hexagonal presentation box. The intricate topographical contours of the walnut case pay tribute to the Bushmills’ water source—the River Bush.
This release was crafted from just two Oloroso sherry butts from Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain. These two casks were filled in 1978—when the distillery was a mere 370 years old—and matured in the middle of Bushmills’ legendary Warehouse 8 for 46 years before being bottled at a natural cask strength of 46.3% ABV. Due to extreme evaporation after nearly half a century of aging, there was only enough whiskey left for 300 total bottles worldwide.
About Bushmills Distillery
Throughout the 20th century, Bushmills navigated a series of economic and sociopolitical challenges. In the 1920s, when American Prohibition hit—a major blow to Irish whiskey exports—director Wilson Boyd continued to keep the Bushmills warehouses full. When the U.S. market reopened, records suggest that Bushmills was 1 of 2, maybe 3 Irish whiskey distilleries still in operation.
Post-World War II, Bushmills experienced a change in ownership, first coming under the control of Isaac Wolfson and then being absorbed into Irish Distillers in 1972, which marked a turning point in consolidating Irish whiskey production. Sales soared in the 1950s and 1960s and even during the global market shift away from brown spirits, Bushmills launched three new products from 1983 to 2001.
Now owned by Proximo Spirits, the brand has expanded its lineup significantly in recent years and in 2023, opened the new Causeway Distillery to increase production.
For more information please visit https://bushmills.com/pages/distillery