What did you think we’d post an article on St. Paddy’s day that wasn’t Irish Whiskey? Well you’d likely have been a loyal reader as we’ve previously either been too drunk to post anything or have once again mixed up Mexican and Irish holiday’s and posted some Tequila
No this time I’ve properly reviewed Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey. I considered just drinking and reviewing it on the actual St. Paddy’s day, but then I recalled that I had work. Now while I may have work tomorrow, that’s for future John to deal with today’s hangover.
I recall St. Paddy’s day from days in Britain where during the day there may have been a parade, but at night Trafalgar Square was bare-bones aside from us. In truth that’s the spirit I feel Bushmill’s exploits. It’s not a bad whiskey, but – and I understand how mean this is. It’s a whiskey that’s just not worth talking about.
What they Say: “Bushmill’s‚ the golden member of the family. It’s a blend of triple distilled single malt whiskey with a lighter Irish grain whiskey. The folks back at the old distillery will tell you it’s an approachable whiskey with a rich‚ warming taste of fresh fruit and vanilla. Me? Well – to me it has a fruity burst that sits on my tongue before turning to honey in my cheeks. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.”
Taste: 5.0 – It has that initial taste that can only be described as Irish whiskey, but it’s not something that really makes you want it.
Aftertaste: 6.0 – It reminds me of an Island Scotch in that the aftertaste is certainly there, and tasting it is certainly an experience, but if you were to describe to others why it’s okay, you’d have very little to go on.
Burn/Smooth: 4.5 – There is some burn here, and it does detract from the taste enough to cause someone to recoil enough to make an Irishman complain.
Aroma: 5.0 – You get that whiskey smell, but there’s nothing here that makes it pleasant, to be honest the only reason it goes above average is because it doesn’t make me want to NOT drink it, which on any other day this may even be lower.
Honesty: 6.0 – I feel like based on their literature (which comes from website since we have a nip) the folks who distill this have it right, you can sure get the warmth and vanilla/fruit – but at the end of the day this is just an approachable whiskey, not a preferred whiskey.
Mixability: 5.25
w/ Rocks: 6.0 – It’s nicer here, but it’s not as if it opened up like a scotch.
w/ Midori: 4.5 – Yeah I got all green and Irish so sue me. It wasn’t great though.
Buffalo Note: I didn’t review with Ginger Ale, but Bushmills it fairly par in one.
Value: 5.5 – While it may be cheaper than Jameson, the simple fact is that I will always buy Jameson over Bushmills – call it a difference of taste, marketing, whatever the fact is that while this may be good for its price I can’t see it as good value.
Google Shop Average: $22
Website: http://www.bushmills.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 5.0
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Metric Score: 37.25/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.32 |+| Reviewer Average: 5.0
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Final Thoughts:
Now while we may have tried the Black Bush (hehe) at the end of the day Bushmills is just not the Irish Whiskey of choice.