Proximo Spirits’ Bushmills has launched a 23 Year Old Irish whiskey that only matured In Madeira Cask exclusively in travel retail
Over the last several years, whiskey, rum, and even tequila have been diving deeper and deeper into the barrel market to put unique twists on new releases. Of all the barrels out there, one of the favorites findings has been Madeira casks, thanks to the summery and nutty flavors they add to each bottle. Usually, distilleries elect to use the barrels for finishing the whiskeys, which allows them to add a subtle flavor variation in just a few months (says six to nine), but a little over two decades ago, Bushmills decided to go all-in on the Portuguese Island wine barrels and have now unveiled the results of the experiment with the launch of its 23 Year Old Madeira Cask Irish Whiskey, which matured solely in Madeira casks.
The Bushmills 23 Year Old Madeira Cask is part of the Northern Ireland whiskey maker’s Causeway Collection, which features generally rare single malt cask finishes. The Irish whiskeys aged exclusively in first fill Madeira oak casks that were filled on June 30, 2000.
“Each decision – from the cask selection and seasoning process, to the bottling and packaging – is testament to our restless pursuit of perfection and determination to delight consumers with ground-breaking and prestigious single malt whiskeys,” says Bushmills master blender Alex Thomas. “Having spent 23 years maturing in Madeira casks alone, I’m confident this one will be hugely popular … its luscious sweetness is basically summer in a glass!”
The new offering will be exclusively available in Avolta’s World Duty Free stores, starting with its store at Heathrow and then heading to other Avolta stores worldwide.
“We are thrilled to offer passengers visiting our World Duty Free stores at Heathrow Airport this month-long exclusivity of the limited-edition Bushmills 23 Year Old Madeira Cask,” says David de Miguel, Global Head of Liquor for Avolta. “Bushmills’ Causeway Collection consistently generates a great deal of excitement among our customers, so we are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of this new expression.”
The whiskey offers aromas of summer fruits, caramelized sugar, black coffee, and walnut oil. The palate features sweet peach and orange peel, followed by notes of roasted nuts, honey, and black coffee. The long, dry, delicate finish begins fruity, then develops notes of rich nutty praline and toasted cocoa.
To mark the launch, the brand will offer samples and gifting activities at the World Duty Free store in Heathrow’s Terminal 3. Those who purchase the Madeira Cask bottling will have an opportunity to win a miniature bottle of a previous Causeway Collection release.
Bottled at 53.8% ABV, Bushmills 23 Year Old Madeira Cask is priced at £390 ($500 USD). For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In September, Bushmills unveiled its World Wood series of rare single malt Irish whiskeys.