Wine Enthusiast 90 points - Possesses a high ratio (80%+) of malt whiskey. Black Bush’s racy bouquet offers aromas of toffee, cotton candy, malt mash and cream highlight. Palate entry is deep, dark caramel-like and stunningly luscious. Simply, one of the greatest whiskeys from Ireland. (Jul 2004)
Black Bush Special Irish Whiskey is a rich, dark, 80-proof blend from the world's oldest licensed distillery, "Old Bushmills" distillery in County Antrim, Ireland.
It is comprised almost entirely of single malt whiskey, making it a choice selection of deluxe whiskey aficionados.
Malt whiskey that becomes Black Bush is aged up to eleven years in selection sherry-seasoned oak casks before being blended with a small portion of a special single grain whiskey to enhance the independant, non-conformist character of the malt. The malt used in the mash derives its clean taste from the deliberate absence of peat used in the malted barley drying process.
All of the Irish whiskey distilleries kiln-dry their malt in a heat-fired, not peat-fired, oven. This drying process lets the clean, clear taste of the malt and barley shine through. The combination is then returned to the cask for "marrying." As the whiskeys mellow together, the uniquely rounded bouquet, rich amber hue and distinctive taste of Black Bush is born.
Black Bush has a distintive, full bodied aroma with spicy, malty and nutty sweet sherry notes. It is complex and well flavoured, slightly sweet with clear malt notes that are not masked by smoke. It is a whiskey to be enjoyed straight or on the rocks.
