FOOD NEWS
Bushmills Irish Whiskey May Be The Oldest Distillery In The World
BY MICHELLE WELSCH
In 1608, Bushmills was given a license to distill, making it the oldest licensed whiskey distillery on record. It was named for the mills around Northern Ireland’s River Bush.
Though whiskey in Ireland can be traced back to 1405, a 1556 Act by the English Parliament decreed that only those with a license granted by the Lord Deputy could distill spirits.
King James I issued licenses to Old Bushmills and the Kilbeggan Distillery, and though Kilbeggan experienced periodic closures, Bushmills has remained a constant.
The brand has developed a community around the distillery, and the label’s single malts have attracted awards and devout connoisseurs.
With over four centuries backing up the product, the distillery has its formula on lock. Bushmills has remained committed to its ingredients and process, even through hard times.
The distillery continues to produce single malt and signature whiskey by using the waters from the River Bush to proof distillation, and all barley used for mash is from Ireland.