Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey, Bourbon & Sherry Cask, 40%

paperboat_atlas26 Sept

Sweetness leads here, from the crème brûlée note on the nose to honey and milk chocolate on the smooth palate. The pear and cinnamon keep that sweetness from sounding one-dimensional, while the crisp, fresh finish offers a useful contrast. For someone drawn to malt character, the oat-like malt in the finish is the most interesting detail. It sits alongside lingering spice and honey, though the short-to-medium length may leave little room for it to develop. That makes this a more convincing match for a preference for gentle sweetness and freshness than for a malt-forward whisky. The balance sounds appealing, even if the malt remains a supporting note.