Bushmills Red Bush

As the previously sampled Black Bush this too came in one of those holiday gift boxes. This is a mimi bottle I held back from last season. I am revisiting it once again (I had purchased two of the gift boxes - yes for myself). I am a sucker for extra freebies. Appearance is gorgeous golden hue and this has legs giving the visual affect of liquid gold swirling to and clinging to the sides of the glass. Nose: Acidic, almost acetone, definitely honey crisp apple and green Danjou pear coming through with ease. Cedar aroma is mid to strong. There is also a light minty aroma. Mouthfeel is creamy and mid to full. Flavor: Wow! I am so happy that I saved a dram back to sample. This is so very mellow and easy to drink. There is no kick back whatsoever, no burn, just easy sipping! Light flavor of vanilla accented with heavy cream. Apple cereal flavor like an apple cheerios perhaps without the cinnamon. Clearly there is an oat flavor with the previous statement. Almost get some cherry notes peeking out under the wave of sweetness. I know many love their burn and I do not mind a nice spice but more often than not I would prefer not to have it. Finish: Okay I take it back - there is a tiny bit of a kick at the very back end if you take a large enough drink and just swallow without letting it sit in your mouth at all. The spice is peppery. Overall there is a lovely and somewhat heavy lingering finish of sweetness, cream, and butter. Absolutely a good one and one to have in the collection. Ratings have nothing to do with cost - just my impressions.

Bushmill's Red Bush is sorta like the non-identical twin of the standard Bushmill's white label. The best I can determine both of them are of the same “:juice.” The difference is that the Red is aged only in first fill bourbon barrels, and the traditional white label is aged in bourbon (not only first fill) barrels, and a few sherry casks. To me it compares to how you prefer one of your favorite meal entrees to be prepared. For example, two servings of shrimp scampi being prepared side by side; one with extra butter, the other with extra garlic. Both are shrimp scampi, but with nuances of flavor differences. That is how I view these two Bushmill whiskeys nosing and tasting them side by side. The Red clearly has more oak wood and vanilla influence, and the traditional white label has less vanilla and a slight hint of fruitiness from the sherry casks. (I don't think they use very many sherry casks, for it is truly a “hint” of sherry influence.) Which you prefer I think boils down to which flavor profile you prefer. If you require something more distinct or special, I suggest Black Bush, with 80% malt and a strong sherry influence.

So years ago I tried Bushmills White Label years ago and it was absolutely terrible. With that in mind, I was quite reluctant to try any other Bushmills product but I saw this on sale and decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed this whiskey. The nose is light and fruity and this is the first Irish whiskey that I could smell something other than vanilla. It has a wonderfully light apple and pear nose but it is not overly sweet. It does flatten out if you add ice or water but it does have a great flavor. I made a Highball with this and club soda and on a hot day, it is very refreshing. Overall, I was impressed with this and would recommend this over the white label every day. Now it is an Irish whiskey and that means the taste is light and it leaves your mouth quickly but at its price point it is just fine for rounding out your home bar or as a gift for someone that likes Irish whiskey. I like it.

Nose is light and sweet, dominated by an apple juice aroma with a slight spice in the background. Palate is light, almost watery, with spice and some vanilla. Finish is short with a slight burn. I’m not sure what the purpose of this label is. It is matured in bourbon casks, but those casks haven’t imparted many bourbon flavors, except maybe the vanilla on the palate. The flavors also aren’t as rich as the Black Bush nor do they distinguish themselves as much different from other Bushmills offerings. Which leaves the Red Bush in an awkward position. Red Bush is decently enjoyable, but unfortunately I can’t recommend this whiskey to anyone as it lacks any distinguishing characteristics or value.

Nose- smells like gummie candy, cherry, apple. A hint of char if you search. Some cherry licorice. Palate- spicy apple cider upfront, quickly fading to a cherry licorice. The spice continues throughout fading throughout. Finish is relatively quick and a tad dry. Overall- I had to try this as it was on sale for $10, nothing super special, but also nothing to complain about at price not sure I'd go back to it but wouldn't be mad at it either. Pretty good for what it is!

Nose: very sweet, sugary spun candy like quality perhaps, brown sugar, moderate vanilla throughout, barrel spice, cereal grains. Taste: virtually the same as the nose, barrel char shows through, a little bite of spice at the end. Seems to hint a little towards an American whiskey (that barrel maybe?) like a hybrid between Irish whisky with a bourbon touch. Not too bad overall. I’d get it again.