Irish whiskey producer Bushmills has added its \u2018most innovative expression yet\u2019 to its luxury Prestige Single Malt Collection.<\/p>\n
\nThe 26 Year Old Crystal Malt has been produced using crystal malt barley, which sees the barley undergo an \u2018unusual and special\u2019 malting process in which the sugars within the grain of the whiskey are crystallised. This process is said to have imparted \u2018intense\u2019 caramel and creamy chocolate flavours into the new-make spirit, which remained throughout the decades subsequently spent in oak.<\/p>\n
Bushmills\u2019 master blender, Alex Thomas, said: \u201cI am so honoured to manage and supervise the ageing of all our single malts, but releasing this special expression \u2013 one I\u2019ve cared for throughout my entire career here \u2013 is truly a dream come true. Our 26 Year Old Crystal Malt epitomises Bushmills\u2019 commitment to restless progress and our dedication to crafting exceptional single malts for whiskey lovers worldwide.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Bushmills was the first Irish whiskey brand to distil crystal malt back in 1997, which was part of a \u2018daring experiment\u2019 that celebrated the distillery\u2019s 400th anniversary. Since then, the liquid has rested at the Old Bushmills Distillery warehouse in first-fill Bourbon barrels, sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.<\/p>\n Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt whiskey offers sweet floral honeyed apples that mingle with mellow wood and warm caramel on the nose, while the palate unveils creamy butterscotch, evolving into layers of cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, spiced pear, and warm vanilla.<\/p>\n The signature Bushmills fruity complexity is enriched by chocolate and caramel notes from the crystal malt, enhanced further by the 26-year maturation.<\/p>\n Thomas added: \u201cI love how beautifully light this whiskey is; it might look delicate and subtle, but don\u2019t be deceived \u2013 it\u2019s bursting with flavour. Succulent, deep, and complex notes overflow on the palate. Light in colour, but luscious in flavour.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The 26-year-old joins the 25-, 30-, and 31-year-old single malts in the Prestige Collection.<\/p>\n It is bottled at 46% ABV and priced at \u00a3850 (US$1,075) for 700ml.<\/p>\n