Bushmills 1608 400th Anniversary Ltd Ed (2008)

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Bushmills 1608 400th Anniversary Limited Edition 46%



Nose: Sweet malt and light grain (Slightly Floral even)

Taste: Elegantly sweet, light yet plenty of flavour.

Finish: Nice bit of spice fizz mellowing out to above sweetness & marzipan

Comment: This may not be the Bushmills fans favourite as it is the least Bushmills like. However I found it very enjoyable and tasty. Very different to any bushmills sherry influenced whiskey and much lighter making it a great easy drinking dram.

[jcskinner]

I agree it is unfamiliar as a Bush. I found an almond top note that was almost feinty on the palate that I didn't like at all.
It also tasted really grainy to me. I got the sugary sweetness you refer to. I have to say, for me this was a disappointing release for their (bogus) 400th anniversary. I've a few bottles in the house, but I'm in no hurry to get through them. I'd rather crack open a Black Bush, I think.
But fair play to them, it was an interesting experiment. However, as far as playing with malts go, I think Glenmorangie's been much more successful with their chocolate malt stunt - Signet, is it? I tried that in Glasgow last year and was really impressed.

[varizoltan]

i had it side by side with 12 years old distillery reserve at the distillery, and i found it better

i can not discribe it like yous, but i had more going on with 1608 and longer finish on it than the 12 dist. reserve

[IainB]

I'm interested to read the comments about it not having a familiar Bushmills character. While being quite different from the malts I could see a lot of commonality with the Black Bush. To me it's a significant step up from BB, which I love by the way, a kind of a BB with some extra muscle.

Does that make any sense?

Has anyone tried it against the older version of the 1608? I did a while back but can't remember the outcome. Must revisit.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

I have a bottle of each open and to be quite honest I have never been a big fan of the original 1608 and for me the new 1608 is far better.

Probably a lot to do with it being bottled at 46% which gives it that extra bit of edge over the original.

[varizoltan]

...and the presentation box of this is a beauty
looks fantastic opened in a light up cabinet
a perfect gift

[varizoltan]

i wish there is more expensive whiskeys are in a quality pack like this