Bushmills Releases Innovative 26 Year Old Crystal Malt As Permanent Addition To Its Luxury Prestige Single Malt Collection
Published Date: 29th November 2024
- Bushmills Irish Whiskey disrupts the single malt category with its most innovative expression yet: a 26 Year Old Crystal Malt. This exceptional release joins 25, 30, and 31 Year Old single malts to expand its illustrious Prestige Collection - some of the oldest and rarest whiskeys ever released from the pioneers of smooth single malt.
- Crafted using a special process which crystallises sugars in the malted barley before distillation, 26 Year Old Crystal Malt boasts rich and indulgent flavours of caramel and creamy chocolate, enhanced by decades of ageing in oak.
- To celebrate the Prestige Collection and this new release, Bushmills has unveiled an immersive brand experience honouring Irish culture and craftsmanship, in collaboration with award-winning contemporary artist Colin Davidson.
Bushmills, County Antrim: Bushmills’® Prestige Collection showcases some of the oldest and rarest whiskeys from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. This extraordinary lineup includes 25, 30, and 31 Year Old single malts, alongside a new groundbreaking 26 Year Old Crystal Malt. Drawing on over 400 years of world-class expertise and heritage, Bushmills’ Prestige Collection sets a new benchmark for innovation and luxury in the global single malt category.
The new 26 Year Old Crystal Malt embodies Bushmills’ unwavering pursuit of perfection and thirst for the uncommon. That same pioneering spirit drove Bushmills to become the first Irish whiskey brand to distil crystal malt back in 1997, an exceptionally brave step and a daring experiment.
Since then, this remarkable liquid has rested patiently in the quiet of the warehouses of the Old Bushmills Distillery, evolving over decades to finally take centre stage as an exceptional 26 Year Old Crystal Malt—a true masterpiece of innovation and craftsmanship.
Produced using crystal malt barley, where the barley undergoes an unusual and special malting process, the sugars within the grain of this new whiskey were crystallised, imparting intense caramel and creamy chocolate flavours that remained throughout the decades it has spent in oak.
With immense pride, Bushmills’ Master Blender, Alex Thomas beams, “I am so honoured to manage and supervise the ageing of all our single malts, but releasing this special expression—one which I’ve cared for throughout my entire career here—is truly a dream come true. Our 26 Year Old Crystal Malt epitomises Bushmills’ commitment to restless progress and our dedication to crafting exceptional single malts for whiskey lovers worldwide.”
Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt whiskey boasts an extraordinary depth of flavour with a long, lingering finish. On the nose, sweet floral honeyed apples mingle with mellow wood and warm caramel. The palate unveils creamy butterscotch, evolving into layers of crème brûlée, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, spiced pear, and warm vanilla. The signature Bushmills fruity complexity is enriched by chocolate and caramel notes from the crystal malt, enhanced further by maturationexclusively in high quality first-fill bourbon barrels, sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Alex adds, “I love how beautifully light this whiskey is, it might look delicate and subtle, but don’t be deceived—it’s bursting with flavour. Succulent, deep, and complex notes overflow on the palate. Light in colour, but luscious in flavour”.
Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt embodies all that is unique about Bushmills and its dedication to unrushed perfection.It is bottled at 46% ABV non chill filtered and priced at £850 for 700ml, available from the end of this year at the Distillery, from shop.bushmills.com for UK & ROI consumers, key Global Travel Retail hubs, and in retailers across the island of Ireland and other key global markets from Q1 2025.
This collaboration culminates in an immersive digital brand experience -The Living Legends Lounge—created in collaboration with renowned artist Colin Davidson, offering whiskey lovers everywhere an opportunity to explore the world of Bushmills. The Prestige Collection is inspired by the artistry, craftsmanship, and landscapes of Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline. Davidson, whose work reflects the region’s culture and natural beauty, shares Bushmills’ reverence for the land and mirrors its commitment to craft and innovation.
To honour their shared inspiration, Bushmills has partnered with Davidson to bring its story to life in a truly unique way. Featuring in-depth brand education, exclusive product tastings, and insights into the distillery’s rich history, this captivating journey is designed to engage and inspire whiskey enthusiasts worldwide. Experience it here: https://Thelivinglegendslounge.com
Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt Tasting Notes
- Colour: Golden honey.
- Nose: Sweet floral honeyed apples followed by mellow wood and warm caramel.
- Taste: Creamy butterscotch envelops the mouth developing into layers of crème brûlée, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, spiced pear and warm vanilla.
- Finish: A comforting warm, smooth finish with the return of gentle oak, honeyed apples and pears lingering on the tongue.
- ABV: 46% non-chill filtered.
More Whisky News
News: Bushmills - 29th November 2024
Bushmills Releases Innovative 26 Year Old Crystal Malt As Permanent Addition To Its Luxury Prestige Single Malt Collection
News: Chivas Regal - 27th November 2024
Chivas Regal Brings A Smooth And Smoky Twist To Its Extra Range With New Extra Smoky Cask Selection
News: White Peak - 25th November 2024
White Peak slows down Black Friday with Wire Works Whisky English Oak: Only available on the high street
News: Eden Mill - 21st November 2024
Eden Mill Distillery Release Rare Pedro Ximénez Single Cask Bottling
News: SMWS - 20th November 2024
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Wraps Up Busy Year With Festive Gift Pack, Launch Of New Creators Collection Series & Expanded Cask Programme
News: Tomintoul - 20th November 2024
Tomintoul Commemorates Master Distiller’s 50-Year Career With Limited Edition Anniversary Release
<< Read more latest news at Planet Whiskies
Trip to Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Distillery of the Month: September 2024
Tomintoul Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies had a fantastic trip up to the Speyside Whisky region of Scotland in February 2024 to visit Angus Dundee Distillers Tomintoul Distillery within the Cairngorms National Park. Then, after the distillery tour and tasting, which was hosted by Iain Forteath, the master blender of Tomintoul, our press group travelled and stayed the night at the recently bought country home of Tomintoul House in the Aultmore Estate (previously called Aultmore House). Planet Whiskies has made the Tomintoul Distillery, Distillery of the Month for both March/April 2024. Read more Planet Whiskies Tomintoul Distillery Tour
Distillery of the Month: February 2024
Bushmills Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies visited the new Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland on the 25th and 26th of September. Read our review of the experience of Bushmills and Northern Ireland at Planet Whiskies tour of Bushmills and Northern Ireland
You can also read the whole section about Bushmills Distillery at Bushmills Distillery Information on Planet Whiskies... So Bushmills was Planet Whiskies Distillery of the Month title for January/February 2024
Drams Delivered To Your Door
Drams Delivered To Your Door - The World’s Biggest Whisky Club Drops New Monthly Subscription Service
Whisky enthusiasts can now take their passion to the next level and have exceptional cask strength single malt whiskies delivered to their doors every month thanks to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's new 'Drop & Dram' subscription service.
Click for more details
Whisky Tasting Sets
Advertisement
Stay Connected
Get Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest news, popular news and exclusive updates.