Bushmills Distillery

Overview

Old Bushmills Distillery sits on the banks of the River Bush in the village of Bushmills, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Giant’s Causeway. Founded under a royal licence in 1608 and formally incorporated in 1784, it claims the title of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Today the site blends heritage and modernity: the historic Old Distillery complex operates alongside the state‑of‑the‑art Causeway Distillery opened in 2023. Visitors are treated to the scent of malted barley, the gleam of copper pot stills, and the sight of rows of oak casks aging for decades.

History

The story of Bushmills is a tapestry of licences, fires, and resilience. In 1608 Sir Thomas Phillips received a licence from King James I to distil “aquavite” in the area – a date proudly displayed on every bottle. The commercial entity that would become Bushmills was not formed until 1784 by Hugh Anderson. The distillery endured periods of closure (records show no activity in 1802 and 1822) before being bought by Belfast merchants James McColgan and Patrick Corrigan in 1860. A devastating fire in 1885 razed the original buildings, but they were swiftly rebuilt, and the new premises have survived to the present day.

The late‑19th‑century saw Bushmills launch its own steamship, the SS Bushmills, to export whiskey worldwide. Prohibition in the United States (1920‑1933) crippled sales, yet the distillery survived thanks to large stockpiles kept by director Wilson Boyd. Post‑World II ownership passed to Isaac Wolfson, then to Irish Distillers in 1972, and later to French group Pernod Ricard in 1988. Diageo bought the brand in 2005 for £200 million, before swapping it to Proximo Spirits in 2014. In April 2023 the new Causeway Distillery opened, doubling production capacity and adding a contemporary visitor experience.

What to See & Do

Guided tours

Bushmills offers several guided experiences, each lasting between 40 minutes and an hour. Small‑group tours take you through the malt‑milling floor, the mash tuns, the copper pot stills where the spirit is triple‑distilled, and the vast warehouse rows where up to 171 000 barrels mature. Knowledgeable guides explain the chemistry of fermentation (58 hours in washbacks) and the art of cask selection – from American bourbon barrels to Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.

Tastings & the Whiskey Shop

All tours include a complimentary tasting of a single‑malt or blended Bushmills expression. The on‑site shop stocks the full range, including the exclusive Bushmills Distillery Reserve 12‑year single malt, the 1608 special‑edition bottling, and limited‑release 21‑year bottles. Visitors can also purchase branded glassware, gifts, and locally‑made chocolates.

The Causeway Distillery

Opened in 2023, the adjacent modern facility showcases cutting‑edge production techniques and a separate tasting bar. It highlights experimental cask finishes, such as acacia‑wood and port‑pipe maturation, giving guests a glimpse of the brand’s future direction.

Whisky Production & Heritage

• Water source – All Bushmills whiskey is made with water drawn from Saint Columb’s Rill, a tributary of the River Bush, giving the spirit its characteristic purity.
• Triple distillation – The spirit is distilled three times in traditional copper pot stills, a process that yields a smooth, light‑bodied whisky distinct from many Scottish malts.
• Cask portfolio – Matured in a network of over 46 warehouses holding roughly 50 000 casks each, Bushmills uses a variety of finishes: ex‑bourbon, Oloroso sherry, port, Madeira, acacia wood and rum casks (the Steamship Series).
• Key expressions – Bushmills Original (a blended whiskey), Black Bush (sherry‑rich blend), Single Malt 10‑, 12‑, 16‑ and 21‑year olds, plus limited‑edition releases such as the Causeway Collection.
• Master blender – Helen Mulholland became Ireland’s first female master blender in 2021, overseeing the balance of malt, grain and cask influences across the range.

Recent Developments

The 2023 Causeway Distillery, a £37 million state‑of‑the‑art facility, doubled the brand’s production capacity and introduced a visitor‑centre focused on experimental finishes. In the same year the brand launched the Causeway Collection, a series of cask‑strength single malts finished in exotic woods, and the Steamship Series commemorating the historic SS Bushmills vessel.

Booking & Tickets

• Standard adult tour – £15‑£50 depending on the chosen experience.
• Concessions – Seniors (60+) and students pay £8.50‑£20.
• Children (6‑17) – £6; children under 8 are not permitted on guided tours but may explore the visitor centre.
• Group bookings – Parties of 12 + must book in advance and provide a deposit. Walk‑in tickets are sold on a first‑come‑first‑served basis, though summer slots can fill quickly.
• Premium tasting – Available for an additional fee; children under 18 are not allowed.

Getting There

By car – The distillery sits at 2 Distillery Road, Bushmills, BT57 8XH, just off the A2 coastal route. It is about 1 hour (≈97 km) north of Belfast.

Public transport – Regular bus services run from Belfast and Derry to Bushmills; the stop is a short walk from the distillery. Trains to Coleraine (Belfast‑to‑Coleraine line) can be combined with a local bus or taxi for the final leg.

Parking – Free on‑site parking is available for visitors.

Nearby Attractions

The distillery’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring the Antrim Coast. Within a 10‑minute drive lie the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and the dramatic Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne. A short ride (≈15 min) brings you to the Carrick‑a‑Rède rope bridge and White Park Bay beach. The historic Bushmills Inn offers AA‑Rosette dining, while the gardens of Antrim Castle provide a tranquil botanical escape. For a broader coastal experience, follow the Antrim Coast and Glens trail, which links many of these sites.

Practical Information

Opening hours – Monday‑Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (last tour departs at 4:00 pm, shop closes at 5:00 pm). Hours may vary on public holidays.

Ticket prices – See the “Booking & Tickets” table above for the current price bands.

Facilities – Free parking, toilets, Wi‑Fi, baby‑changing rooms and a shop selling whisky, glassware and local gifts.

Contact – For group bookings or special enquiries, call +44 (0) 28 207 33218 or email distillery.tours@bushmills.com.

Opening hours table

Ticket price overview