Bushmills Red Bush is the bourbon cask matured Irish whiskey from the legendary Old Bushmills Distillery in the village of Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery operating under a royal grant to distill issued by King James I in 1608. Built specifically with bourbon drinkers in mind, Red Bush is a triple distilled blend of Bushmills single malt and grain whiskey aged exclusively in first fill, medium charred American oak ex bourbon barrels sourced from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky. Where the white label Original Bushmills uses a combination of bourbon and sherry casks and the Black Bush leans heavily on sherry, Red Bush goes all in on bourbon barrel influence to deliver a noticeably bolder, sweeter, more vanilla forward Irish whiskey that drinks like a smooth crossover between Irish tradition and Kentucky character. Aged for a minimum of three years, bottled at 40% ABV and 80 proof, this is the ideal entry point for bourbon fans curious about Irish whiskey, or for Irish whiskey drinkers who want something with a little more sweetness and spice than the standard pour.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
The Old Bushmills Distillery, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Producer |
Proximo Spirits |
| Established |
1608 (Royal grant to distill) |
| Type |
Blended Irish Whiskey — Bourbon Cask Matured, Triple Distilled |
| Blend |
Triple distilled Irish single malt and Irish grain whiskey |
| Maturation |
First fill, medium charred ex bourbon barrels from Kelvin Cooperage, Kentucky |
| Age |
NAS (minimum 3 years) |
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 Proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Ireland (Northern Ireland) |
| Region |
Co. Antrim |
| Packaging |
Iconic Bushmills bottle with red label and 1608 branding |
Tasting Notes
Color: Pale gold to light amber.
Nose: Bourbon forward with vanilla, butterscotch, and toasted grain leading. Notes of orange peel, caramel, and walnut sit in the background, with a soft Irish whiskey sweetness underneath.
Palate: Smooth and approachable with butterscotch, toffee, spiced pear, and rich vanilla. The bourbon cask influence is unmistakable, delivering more sweetness and oak than typical Irish blends without losing the signature Irish smoothness.
Finish: Medium length with lingering vanilla, soft oak, and a final touch of caramel. Clean and easy, ideal for sipping neat or on the rocks.
FAQ
How is Red Bush different from Bushmills Original and Black Bush?
The three Bushmills blends differ in their cask programs. Bushmills Original (white label) is aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Black Bush leans heavily on first fill Oloroso sherry casks for a richer, fruitier profile. Red Bush is matured exclusively in first fill bourbon barrels, delivering a bolder, sweeter, more vanilla forward Irish whiskey aimed at bourbon drinkers.
Where is Bushmills made?
Bushmills is distilled at the Old Bushmills Distillery in the village of Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The royal grant to distill was issued in 1608 by King James I, and the distillery has been operating continuously for over four centuries. Today the brand is owned by Proximo Spirits.
What is triple distilled Irish whiskey?
Triple distillation is the traditional Irish method, where the spirit passes through three pot stills rather than the typical two used in Scotch. The extra distillation results in a lighter, smoother, more refined whiskey with less heavy character, and is one of the defining traits of premium Irish whiskey from Bushmills, Jameson, and Midleton.
Where can I buy Bushmills Red Bush online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
