BUSHMILLS 26 YEAR CRYSTAL MALT IRISH WHISKEY
NORTHERN IRELAND
WHY BUY:
This latest release from Bushmill’s coveted Rare Cask Series, a 26 Year Crystal Malt, has arrived with a slew of critical praise (from the Robb Report, Men’s Journal, Maxim, and others), and we’re right there with them, but this also happens to be an immensely irresistible whiskey, too. Triple-distilled using crystal malt (sometimes called caramel malt) that was roasted after malting, it brims with dark caramel and creamy chocolate notes that only deepen your sense of indulgence as you sip. We love it when a beloved producer continues to innovate and find new ways to explore their chosen idiom, but when that producer is Bushmills, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, which has been perfecting its craft since 1608 (or, since the time Shakespeare was embarking upon his greatest plays), it’s that much more thrilling.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
That lofty note of praise from Maxim is no outlier; the critics have been unanimous (and voluminous) in their excitement. Drinkhacker called it an “excellent whiskey, and a great showcase of how Bushmills can elevate and differentiate its distillate after hundreds of years in business.” The Robb Report pronounced it “an ode to chocolate.” And Men's Journal wrote, admiringly: “Bushmills isn't resigned to merely being some proud ode to the past. It's continually unfurling freshness upon this most traditional of spirit categories.”
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The golden honey color hints at what's coming, but nothing quite prepares you for that first nosing: sweet floral honeyed apples followed by mellow wood and warm caramel that draws you deeper and deeper into the glass. The palate delivers exactly what the crystal malt promises: creamy butterscotch that envelops your mouth and then opens slowly into greater and greater richness, as notes of crème brûlée, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, spiced pear, and warm vanilla stack upon one another in what can only be described as symphonic expansion. The finish brings everything home with comforting warmth, gentle oak, and those honeyed apples and pears lingering long enough to make you reach again for the bottle. A glorious triumph.
THE STORY:
This release represents something genuinely rare in whiskey-making: the use of crystal malt, typically reserved for brewing, which gives the spirit deeper sweetness and roasted complexity that standard malting can’t deliver. After triple distillation, this whiskey matured exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels for 26 years, allowing the crystal malt's caramel and chocolate characteristics to develop without interference. The result showcases how Bushmills continues to push boundaries while honoring four centuries of whiskey-making tradition. As Master Blender Alex Thomas says, innovation is not opposed to tradition at Bushmills, but goes hand in hand with it: “With more than 400 years of heritage and experience, we have an unparalleled foundation of craft and consistency. At the same time, we see innovation as essential to keeping that legacy alive.”
ABV:
46% ABV (92 proof); non-chill filtered.
FUN FACT:
During World War II, production at Bushmills was halted, and the distillery was used to house Allied troops.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we source directly from the distiller to ensure pristine provenance. This limited edition won't last long — so, secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2026. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NC, NE, NY, TN, VA, & WA. This offer will expire on Sunday, November 30, 2025.