New 16 and 21 old whiskey products from Old Bushmills

Old Bushmills in Northern Ireland has increased the availability of its 16 Year Old as a direct response to the 25 percent rise in demand for premium malts last year, according to the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI).

Bushmills 16 Year Old single malt was 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.

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 spent marrying in Madeira wine casks.

The distillery, based in county Antrim and reputed to be the world's oldest and is now owned by Mexico's Jose Cuervo group, first launched a small batch duo of 16-year-old and 21-year-old single malts in 2016.

Colum Egan, master distiller at Old Bushmills, said: "This year, each bottle of Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt will have the year of bottling and its own individual number referenced on the bottle, making it even more collectable to those who purchase it."

Bottled at 40 percent ABV, both expressions of Bushmills Irish Whiskey will be available from specialist independent retailers and on-trade outlets.