Bushmills - 21 Year Old Single Malt (750ml)

Bushmills’ sumptuous magnum opus spins aromas of sultana, brown sugar, walnut oil, date slice, chocolate-covered cranberries, leather gloves, and a hint of espresso. The dark, crepuscular mystique continues in the syrupy mouthfeel redolent of forest honey, banana bread, nuts, browned butter, sultana, date, and blackberry. Utterly beguiling, the Madeira finish works wonders here, right through to the last moments of the smooth, sweet finish. A must-try for all. Jonny McCormick, Winter 2018.

This aged spirit shows Irish whiskey's dark side. It retains the enticing fresh-fruit aroma of younger bottlings, plus a luscious layer of butterscotch. On the palate, it's oaky and drying, with complex notes of toffee, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, caramel and a spicy finish. The whiskey is aged for a minimum of 19 years in former oloroso Sherry and Bourbon barrels, then transferred to Madeira casks for the final two years of maturation. Treat it like Scotch: add just a splash of water to open up the flavors. Kara Newman, 3/1/2014.