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Bushmills Distillery

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Leesa
Leesa
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4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
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10
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Editor Pick

Bushmills Distillery

  • November 21, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by hagnel2 from Hamilton, Ontario
Bushmills Distillery

The world’s oldest licensed distillery is located on the edge of the quaint town of Bushmills on county Antrim, 3 miles from the Giants Causeway. Bushmills was granted its license by James the first and Sir Thomas Phillips was the first license holder, however distilling around that area can be traced back to 1276. It is said that Tsar Peter the Great sampled the barley water during his tour of Europe in1697.

We were lucky to catch the beginning of a tour and just made it as the group entered the waiting room in the Visitor center. Because this is a working distillery only groups are allowed and sometimes you need to book ahead in order to take the tour.

We watched a brief film documenting the history of whiskey making, I may try it one day because I memorized the four stages alas, and we don’t have the Irish water here. Following the film we were literally whisked along at a rapid pace through the various working areas. Our guide had a cold but talked as rapidly as she walked, she clearly was unwell but I would bet on her winning any speed walking contest.

Huge copper stills and a room filled with oak barrels of whiskey are my most vivid recollection of the tour, that and the odours of yeasty cooking. I was sorry for the distillery coordinator, his job was making sure the stills maintained a constant temperature, I am sure that at the end of his shift he would have absorbed fumes through every pore, I hope he lives nearby because he certainly would not pass a breathalyzer. Four volunteers were allowed to sample six types of whiskey, unfortunately we were not picked to imbibe; however, we were all allowed to choose a tot of whiskey or a soft drink at the bar. I like Irish whiskey in hot toddies with lots of cloves but my preference is peaty Scotch served in Irish crystal over ice. Afterward we were shown into the Bushmills shop, overflowing with merchandise all related to Bushmills. High prices and nothing I couldn’t live without.

A fire in the 1800’s demolished a large part of the old buildings. The present buildings have a very Victorian look quite attractive and blend in with the quiet little town of Bushmills.

Tours are, $9 {£5} per person. And run from April to Oct, Monday through Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Sunday from noon to 5.30pm.

From journal Out and Around the Antrim Coast

Bushmills Distillery

  • November 26, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Leesa from Brighton, United Kingdom
Bushmills Distillery

A fairly commercial operation, the highlight of the tour (the distillery itself was not working over the Easter weekend) was the whiskey tasting. Rather than just sampling Bushmills, a tray of 8 whiskeys was produced, comparing Irish whiskeys (Bushmills, Black Bush, Jamesons and Powers) to Blended Scotch, Bourbon (for the Americans!), and Scotch Malt. Volunteer early, as only 4 people get to taste in each tour!

From journal The Northern Antrim Coast

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