The world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, has unveiled the oldest Irish single malt yet, the 46-year-old ‘Secrets of The River Bush’.
This venerable release, limited to 300 bottles, not only sets a new benchmark for age in Irish whiskey, but also serves as a rare window into Bushmills’ commitment to craftsmanship, time, and tradition.
At the heart of this release lies the River Bush. Flowing through the basalt-rich landscape of Northern Ireland’s famous Giant’s Causeway, the River Bush has sustained the distillery for over four centuries.
As Master Blender Alex Thomas explains, “Without the river, there would be no Bushmills. The two are inextricably linked.” The expression pays tribute to this deep connection between place and spirit, a reflection of the land, the water, and the relentless passage of time. But how does it taste?
Bushmills 46 Year Old Secrets of The River Bush tasting notes
The whiskey is a marriage of rare single malt reserves distilled in 1978 and matured for nearly five decades in Oloroso sherry butts, sourced from the Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain. These seasoned casks impart a deep mahogany hue, while layering the spirit with complex flavours that can only emerge from decades spent in seasoned oak.
Tasting notes speak of ripe dark fruits, sweet apricot, caramel, and gentle oak spice on the nose. The palate unfolds with intense cinnamon, crushed clove, and nutmeg, building into a luxurious wave of black cherries and apricots, before resolving into roasted coffee, warm oak, and toffee.
The finish is said to be smooth yet robust, with a lingering trail of spiced fruit and gentle oak.
The 46-year-old is housed in a bespoke hexagonal walnut presentation case, hand-crafted to reflect the natural topography surrounding the distillery. Each contour of the box pays homage to the course of the River Bush, while a gold engraving traces the river’s historic path to Bushmills. Every bottle is individually numbered.
Bushmills ‘Secrets of the River Bush’ is bottled at 46.3% ABV and only 300 sequentially numbered bottles will be made available, priced at $12,500. Explore the world of Bushmills whiskey at The Whiskey Exchange.
It’s a record player, but not quite as you might know it. That’s because the TechDAS Air Force IV spins vinyl on a cushion of air, holding it in place with a vacuum! Designed and built in Japan, the Air Force IV is part of TechDAS’s long-running pursuit of vinyl perfection. Its defining feature is…
There’s a new reason to book a table in Mayfair – and this one comes with serious heat. Opening this April, MIKO Mei Fair is the latest launch from restaurateur Samyukta Nair – the force behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina. Taking over the ground floor of MiMi Mei Fair’s Georgian townhouse,…
The Young Vic Theatre has unveiled its 2026/27 season, with the headline attraction a new stage musical of Thelma & Louise; this bold reimagining of the 1991 road-movie classic opens the Main House season in September. The musical adaptation stars Amy Lennox as Thelma and Rachel Tucker as Louise. More than three decades after the…
The Luxe Review 
The world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, has unveiled the oldest Irish single malt yet, the 46-year-old ‘Secrets of The River Bush’.
This venerable release, limited to 300 bottles, not only sets a new benchmark for age in Irish whiskey, but also serves as a rare window into Bushmills’ commitment to craftsmanship, time, and tradition.
At the heart of this release lies the River Bush. Flowing through the basalt-rich landscape of Northern Ireland’s famous Giant’s Causeway, the River Bush has sustained the distillery for over four centuries.
As Master Blender Alex Thomas explains, “Without the river, there would be no Bushmills. The two are inextricably linked.” The expression pays tribute to this deep connection between place and spirit, a reflection of the land, the water, and the relentless passage of time. But how does it taste?
Bushmills 46 Year Old Secrets of The River Bush tasting notes
The whiskey is a marriage of rare single malt reserves distilled in 1978 and matured for nearly five decades in Oloroso sherry butts, sourced from the Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage in Jerez, Spain. These seasoned casks impart a deep mahogany hue, while layering the spirit with complex flavours that can only emerge from decades spent in seasoned oak.
Tasting notes speak of ripe dark fruits, sweet apricot, caramel, and gentle oak spice on the nose. The palate unfolds with intense cinnamon, crushed clove, and nutmeg, building into a luxurious wave of black cherries and apricots, before resolving into roasted coffee, warm oak, and toffee.
The finish is said to be smooth yet robust, with a lingering trail of spiced fruit and gentle oak.
The 46-year-old is housed in a bespoke hexagonal walnut presentation case, hand-crafted to reflect the natural topography surrounding the distillery. Each contour of the box pays homage to the course of the River Bush, while a gold engraving traces the river’s historic path to Bushmills. Every bottle is individually numbered.
Bushmills ‘Secrets of the River Bush’ is bottled at 46.3% ABV and only 300 sequentially numbered bottles will be made available, priced at $12,500. Explore the world of Bushmills whiskey at The Whiskey Exchange.
Astounding TechDAS Air Force IV turntable floats vinyl on air for precision playback
It’s a record player, but not quite as you might know it. That’s because the TechDAS Air Force IV spins vinyl on a cushion of air, holding it in place with a vacuum! Designed and built in Japan, the Air Force IV is part of TechDAS’s long-running pursuit of vinyl perfection. Its defining feature is…
Mayfair’s hottest new Thai opening, MIKO Mei Fair, brings fire-led cooking to Curzon Street
There’s a new reason to book a table in Mayfair – and this one comes with serious heat. Opening this April, MIKO Mei Fair is the latest launch from restaurateur Samyukta Nair – the force behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina. Taking over the ground floor of MiMi Mei Fair’s Georgian townhouse,…
Young Vic 2026/27 season driven by Thelma & Louise stage musical world premiere
The Young Vic Theatre has unveiled its 2026/27 season, with the headline attraction a new stage musical of Thelma & Louise; this bold reimagining of the 1991 road-movie classic opens the Main House season in September. The musical adaptation stars Amy Lennox as Thelma and Rachel Tucker as Louise. More than three decades after the…
Share this: