FIRST SIP: Bushmills 21 Single Malt

The town of Bushmills lends its name to the distillery, with the River Bush in the center.

Bushmills 21 comes in a very elegant presentation box.

Bushmills 21 is a dram worth savoring.

Bushmills is the oldest active distillery in the world, having received its first license to operate four centuries ago, in 1608. Bushmills specializes in single malts, and this 21-year old variety is aged for 19 years in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before spending its last two years finishing in Madeira casks. 

Both the aroma and the first sip exhibit tons of apple, more tart than sweet but quite enjoyable. You might detect a little orange citrus as well, among other fruit essences. There's spice here too--nothing too crazy, but enough to balance out the overall smoothness. To put it simply, this is a fantastic whiskey, so treat yourself. Although at $200-250 a bottle, it's not exactly your daily dram.

Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt:

96 points