The Irish whiskey distillery is releasing its latest edition in the Bushmills Steamship Collection; Port Cask Reserve, exclusively for travel-retail.
The collection is a range of whiskeys inspired by the voyages of the SS Bushmills steamship.
As a travel-retail exclusive, the variant follows last year’s launch of Bushmills Sherry Cask Reserve, marking the 125th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the SS Bushmills.
In 1890, the SS Bushmills delivered Bushmills Irish Whiskey around the world. With over 400 years of whiskey-making heritage and as experts in wood selection, it is these relationships that have served the Old Bushmills Distillery to this day, helping Bushmills master distillers explore the potential of maturing whiskey in exclusive and rare casks.
Helen Mulholland, master blender of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, says: “We pride ourselves on understanding the different nuances that different barrels impart on our whiskey. Up to 80% of the character of whiskey comes from the cask, so I make it my mission to travel to Portugal to meet with the craftsmen and estate owners from Douro Valley.
“As a region whose stony soil yields only low quantities of grapes which are of outstanding quality and perfect for making port, it is here where I personally select the best casks for Port Cask Reserve. After a seasoning period of at least three years they are emptied and shipped back to Bushmills to be filled with our whiskey, letting the residual flavours from the charred wood work their magic. The result is our trademark rich, complex and smooth triple-distilled single malt whiskey with subtle elegant notes of damson, black coffee and almonds.
“Bushmills Port Cask Reserve has a truly unique story to tell and we are thrilled to offer duty free shoppers a glimpse into the world of flavour exploration and experimentation from Ireland’s oldest distillery.”
Presented in a hand-crafted box featuring a 70cl bottle, Bushmills Port Cask Reserve has been matured in ruby port pipes.
Priced at RSP £99, travellers can pick up a bottle of Bushmills Port Cask Reserve, alongside the Sherry Cask Reserve edition at selected global travel-retail outlets, from November 2017.
In 2014, the Bushmills Irish Whiskey brand was bought by Mexican headquartered firm, Jose Cuervo, which is owned by the Mexico-based Beckmann family. Their distribution firm, Proximo, controls a number of premium whiskey and rum brands.
31 October 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant