Ancient stones sit on a rugged coastline. Green hills crumble into the North Atlantic, cold waves shape the crisp wind that shakes the barley. This is Bushmills’ terroir, the sea, sky, and earth responsible for Northern Ireland’s most iconic whiskey, and the inspiration for its latest creation: 26 Year Old Crystal Malt.
Rocky shores and primordial Celtic greenery might seem like the basis for basically any spirit of the Scottish or Irish persuasion. But the County Antrim distillery crafted something more inventive than the usual barrel finish or extended aging expected of today's releases.
Bushmills 26-Year-Old Crystal Malt is the latest addition to Bushmills’ Prestige Collection, which also includes 25-, 30-, and 31-year-old single malts. A special process crystallizes sugars in the malted barley before distillation, which imparted intense and creamy chocolate caramel flavors that then developed over two decades.
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Colored golden honey, the whiskey offers aromas of apples and warm caramel alongside sweet floral notes. The palate features creamy butterscotch that develops into layers of creme brûlée, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, spiced pear and warm vanilla. The finish is warm and smooth. Gentle oak pairs with orchard fruits as it lingers on the tongue.
“I love how beautifully light this whiskey is. It might look delicate and subtle, but don’t be deceived—it’s bursting with flavor,” says Bushmills master blender, Alex Thomas. “Succulent, deep, and complex notes overflow on the palate. Light in color, but luscious in flavor”.
Bushmills 26-Year-Old Crystal Malt is priced at £850 (about $1,075) per 700ml bottle. It's available for purchase in a few places: the Bushmills Distillery, its official online shop for British and Irish consumers, key global travel retail hubs, and retailers across Ireland and other key global markets.
Related: We Tested Hundreds of Irish Whiskeys. These 11 Are the Best for 2025
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