Thirsty Thursdays: Touring the World’s Oldest Whiskey Distillery, Bushmills, Northern Ireland

“I’ve been a wild rover for many a year and I’ve spent all my money on whiskey and beer” – The Pogues.

Northern Ireland is my home country and it has some hidden gems for the thirsty traveller. Not only does it boast Ireland’s Highest Pub (The Ponderosa on the Glenshane Pass) and Ireland’s Oldest Pub (Grace Neill’s in Donaghadee), it also contains the home of the penalty kick (yes that all began here – simpleton wannabes like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have a clue Milford is responsible for 20% of their goals). And the world’s oldest whiskey distillery! Here in wee Bushmills.

In the past, I covered some cool spots of Northern Ireland, I felt were more off the wall for you, such as:

• Backpacking in Ballintoy
• Backpacking in Newtownards
• The People’s Republic of Podjistan (a bordering Micronation)
• Backpacking in Narnia (a bordering Fantasy Kingdom)
• Backpacking in Ballyhalbert
• Staying at the (now closed) Royal Hotel in Bangor
• Ireland’s Highest Pub, The Ponderosa!
• Backpacking to Islandhill near Newtownards
• Visiting the home of the McCrum at Milford
• Guided Tour of Glentoran Belfast’s The Oval
• Staying by the beach at Cairn Bay Lodge, Bangor
• Tayto Castle in Tandragee
• Backpacking in Portbraddon and Ireland’s Smallest Church

Of more note and perhaps more significance, Northern Ireland is home to the world’s oldest Oldest Whiskey Distillery – Bushmills! I’m a big fan of Bushmills Whiskey, but not in large quantities – I’m a beer man deep down, occasionally prone to the odd drop of Bushmills. I took a trip to the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery to get a guided tour, find out the history and relax with a drop of Malt Whiskey. I was not disappointed, this is a tour worth doing!

Where to Stay in Bushmills?

I stayed in the town’s cool backpacker’s hostel, which is excellent and highly recommended! The Bushmills Backpacker’s Hostel.

How do you get to the Bushmills Distillery?

I arrived by bus from the nearby town of Coleraine. Driving is the best option, but the bus routes are easy enough to follow. Bushmills is famous the world over.

Touring the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland can be a truly delightful experience for whiskey enthusiasts, not just due to the fact that this is the world’s oldest whiskey distillery but it’s a quiet wee town oozing in charm. Here’s a general guide on how to go about it:

1. Check Availability and Book in Advance: Start by checking the distillery’s website or contacting them directly to see if tours are available on your desired date. Booking in advance is often recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons.
2. Choose Your Tour Option: Bushmills Distillery typically offers several tour options, ranging from basic tours to more premium experiences. Decide which tour suits your preferences and budget. Options may include standard tours, premium tastings, or even behind-the-scenes tours.
3. Arrive on Time: Make sure to arrive at the distillery on time for your scheduled tour. It’s advisable to arrive a little early to allow time for parking and getting oriented.
4. Enjoy the Tour: Once your tour begins, enjoy learning about the history and production process of Bushmills whiskey. You’ll likely see the distillation process firsthand, from mashing and fermentation to distillation and aging.
5. Tasting Session: Most tours include a tasting session where you can sample a selection of Bushmills whiskeys. Listen carefully to the tasting notes provided by the guide and savor the unique flavors of each whiskey.  You normally get a few whiskey shots included in the ticket price.
6. Explore the Visitor Center: After the tour, take some time to explore the visitor center. Here you’ll find exhibits on the history of Bushmills Distillery, as well as a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and bottles of whiskey to take home.
7. Responsible Drinking: Remember to drink responsibly during the tasting session and throughout your visit. If you’re driving, be sure to designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation.
8. Feedback and Follow-Up: After your tour, consider providing feedback to the distillery. Your comments can help them improve their tour experience for future visitors.

I have been to Bushmills a few times, here are a few photos from various visits. On the actual tour part itself, behind the scenes photos and videos are banned and I respected this, so these photos are from the outside of the Distillery, the shop and the bar. I’ve backpacked through the town’s sights as well of course and enjoyed Finn McCool’s bar of an evening.

I hope you get here and do the tour of Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s finest whiskeys. And of course, the oldest. I backpacked over 200 countries and often found Bushmills in them. I’ve even had a Bushmills in South Island, New Zealand and Pyongyang in North Korea. Good old Northern Ireland.

Here are the details of the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland:

https://www.bushmills.eu/ 

[email protected]

Here are a few of my videos from backpacking in Bushmills, Northern Ireland: