Bushmills
Licensed in 1608 — the world's oldest licensed distillery, and a triple-distilled Irish.
Bushmills bills itself as the world's oldest distillery on the strength of a "1608 licence." Strictly speaking that licence was granted to the region, and its continuity with today's company is debatable — but either way, it's long been one of the faces of Irish whiskey.
Irish whiskey is generally defined by smoothness. It's usually triple-distilled (Scotch is typically distilled twice), which strips out the rougher edges and leaves it clean and light on the throat. That's why it's an easy recommendation for someone still new to whiskey, or put off by anything too fiery.
One misconception worth clearing up: there's a Northern Irish bit of folklore that "Bushmills is the Protestant whiskey and Jameson the Catholic one." It's a stereotype with little behind it — neither the distillery's staff nor its drinkers split along those lines. Drink the whiskey as whiskey.
For a first bottle the standard white label is fine, but I'd point you to Black Bush, a step up. A higher proportion of sherry casks gives it more sweetness and depth, and the jump in satisfaction outpaces the jump in price. The signature Irish softness stays intact.
Bushmills' value rests on the historical authority of being the 'world's oldest licensed distillery (1608)'. Where Jameson is the face of mass share, Bushmills is the traditionalist that makes both blends and single malts in Northern Ireland. The 10, 16 and 21 single malts carry its critical standing, while single-cask limiteds like the Causeway Collection fill the premium tier.
Prices are approximate retail / duty-free · Limiteds at brand list price · Not a personal tasting score
Bushmills is made in a village on the River Bush in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Distilled three times in the Irish tradition, it sheds rough edges for a smooth sweetness of honey, vanilla and green fruit. Under one roof it makes both blends — White and Black Bush — and the 10, 16 and 21 single malts from malted barley alone. Black Bush leans on sherry casks for a richer, sweeter character.
It claims the title of 'world's oldest licensed distillery' on the basis of a 1608 distilling licence in the area (the distillery proper was founded in 1784). It is one of the few names that survived the collapse of the Irish whiskey industry in the 20th century, and today it runs as an independent operation under José Cuervo's Proximo.
In Korea, Bushmills is not as ubiquitous as Jameson, but it keeps a steady following on the strength of its 'oldest distillery' story and soft Irish character. The light Original is often suggested as a highball, and Black Bush as a neat pour for its sherry sweetness. Its strengths are smoothness and a story to tell, rather than a bold character.
The light, smooth Original works fine as a highball or in a neat glass, while the sherry-led Black Bush and the single malts deserve a Glencairn or copita to savour the sweetness and nuts. The older the expression, the more it rewards being left quietly in the glass and sipped slowly.
Sources · Production & range — bushmills.com · History — Wikipedia 'Old Bushmills Distillery' · Product image — Bushmills