Northern Irish Bushmills Whiskey releases 16 and 21 year old single malts

Bushmills Irish Whiskey in Northern Ireland has launched a small batch duo of 16-year-old and 21-year-old single malts, matured and finished in a range of cask types.

Based at Bushmills in county Antrim, Bushmills 16-Year Old Single Malt has been aged in a combination of both ex-Bourbon casks and oloroso Sherry butts before being vatted and married for nine months in large Port pipes.

The whiskey is described as "smooth and sweet" with a mature taste "beyond its years". Given tasting notes include honeyed nutty maltiness, toasted wood and sweet Port wine.

Meanwhile Bushmills 21-Year Old single malt has spent at least 19 years in ex-Bourbon casks and oloroso Sherry butts, with a further two years then spent marrying in Madeira wine casks.

The resulting "indulgent" whiskey offers "depth, richness and complexity" with notes of "wood and raisin, toffee sweetness, soft spices with hints of vanilla, dark chocolate, mint and leather".

"To craft malts of this age and quality calls for all our expertise and knowledge," said Colum Egan, Bushmills master distiller.

"By carefully nurturing a small number of casks in our warehouses so that they age in the optimal conditions, we can draw layers of exquisite flavours from the wood, ensuring they are perfectly balanced with the unique distillery character of the unique Bushmills spirit made from 100 per cent malted Irish barley.

"There is strong demand for Irish single malts, so we're delighted to release these rare expressions for the ultra-premium end of the Irish whiskey category. Bottled at 40% ABV, they are both limited editions and will be available only from specialist independent retailers and on-trade outlets."

The 16yo and 21yo expressions are launched as part of Bushmills' small-batch annual limited editions. The company is now owned by Mexico tequila maker Jose Cuervo.