On the finish of 2023, Bushmills launched 4 restricted version whiskeys that set off a brand new collection referred to as Personal Reserve. (We didn’t evaluate them.) Every began with traditional Bushmills single malt whiskey aged in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, however that includes a unique, uncommon end — Plum Brandy, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Tequila Casks. Now Personal Reserve is again with a second spherical, once more that includes 4 completely different finishes — with two repeats from the 2023 releases. Becoming a member of Bordeaux and Tequila, we now get whiskeys completed in Amarone wine casks and Moscatel wine casks. The repeats are each 12 years outdated; the brand new ones are each aged for 10 years.
Per Bushmills:
These particular expressions are the work of Bushmills’ first feminine Grasp Blender, Alex Thomas, who has been getting older them beneath a detailed eye, awaiting them to achieve her desired ranges of complexity and taste. Moreover, every Personal Reserve Restricted Launch boasts a single classic 12 months by which it was distilled, capturing a particular second in time. Every whiskey can be non-chill filtered, whereas holding increased proofs than the core Bushmills vary, for a extra strong character. Like all Bushmills’ single malts, they’re made with 100% unpeated malted barley and the freshest spring water from the river Bush, then triple-distilled in small batches in conventional copper pot stills for that signature smoothness.
We acquired all 4 for evaluate. Let’s dig in.
Bushmills Personal Reserve 10 Years Outdated Moscatel Cask End 2025 Evaluation
Completed in Moscatel wine barrels. Winey and sharp on the nostril, the moscatel does a variety of the heavy lifting right here. Touches of camphor, orange blossom, and honeysuckle inform an more and more floral fragrant profile, which is overlaid atop traditional Irish notes of toasty, sweetened breakfast cereal and honey. The palate is sort of candy and, once more, wine-heavy with an oxidized, candy high quality. Notes of lemon curd, coconut, and extra of that candy breakfast cereal high quality linger, culminating in a brisk, vivid, and perfumed end. Whereas the wine affect is usually a little overbearing at occasions, it does at the least pair effectively with the Bushmills core presentation. 97 proof. B+ / $60
Bushmills Personal Reserve 10 Years Outdated Amarone Cask End 2025 Evaluation
Completed in casks that held Italian Amarone wine. A vastly completely different expertise than the moscatel cask, the wine once more does a variety of the heavy lifting right here, solely taking issues in a a lot completely different path. Boldly tannic and earthy, right here we get a heavy, weighted nostril that hints at petrol, mushroom, graphite, and roasted meats. The sweeter aspect of Irish whiskey is buried in there someplace, and finally it creeps into the palate, tempering an oily, ashy character with notes of crimson berries, raisins, and orange peel. Sharp, with a reprise of these heavy crimson wine notes on the again finish, it leaves a slick layer of tannin clinging to the center of the palate — for higher or for worse. 94.6 proof. B / $60
Bushmills Personal Reserve 12 Years Outdated Bordeaux Cask End 2025 Evaluation
I presume that is completed in crimson Bordeaux wine casks, although solely Pomerol is technically specified; observe that this was a ten 12 months outdated launch in 2023. That is as traditional a illustration of Irish whiskey as something on this lineup, with a toasty, cereal-heavy nostril that evokes notes of coconut, caramel, and a shaving of lemon peel. There’s no actual trace of wine on both nostril or palate. although the lemon affect builds, evoking a lemon meringue pie character that proves to be each fairly enchanting and enduring. Chewy notes of saltwater taffy mix effectively with potpourri, then ending notes of rosemary and thyme. A posh and shocking journey that rewards continued exploration — and simply one of the best whiskey within the lineup. 94 proof. A / $75 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bushmills Personal Reserve 12 Years Outdated Tequila Cask End 2025 Evaluation
The one non-wine end within the quartet, this finishes in a mix of reposado and anejo tequila casks. A powerful acetone observe on the nostril put me off from the beginning right here, although a kinder learn could peg this as intensely floral and perfumed. Both method it’s at odds with the fragile Irish whiskey on the core of the expertise, and the nostril is so overpowering I discovered it exhausting to push via to sip. The commercial notes are at the least muted when you do, showcasing a palate that’s overwhelming with fruit — a mixture of very overripe apples, pears, and guava notes. The sweetness is greater than a bit cloying, culminating in a candylike high quality on the fade-out. It’s a large departure for this lineup — and in contrast to every other Irish whiskey I can recall. Greater than anything on this lineup, your mileage could differ fairly a bit. C+ / $75 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bushmills Personal Reserve 12 Years Outdated Bordeaux Cask End 2025
USD75
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