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Distillery · Bushmills, Irlanda do Norte
Old Bushmills Distillery
The Irish whiskey distillery in the village of Bushmills, licensed in 1608, one of the oldest working distilleries in the world, offering guided tours of production and tastings.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Old Bushmills Distillery
Old Bushmills Distillery is in the village of Bushmills, about 3 km from the Calçada dos Gigantes, and produces Irish whiskey on the banks of the River Bush. The distillery points to the royal licence to distil granted to the area in 1608, which places it among the oldest still-operating distilleries in the world; the present company was registered in 1784. The logo bears the date 1608.
The guided tour covers production: milling of the malted barley, mashing, fermentation in vats, triple distillation in copper pot stills — traditional for Irish whiskey and producing a smoother spirit — and the warehouses where the casks mature, some of which previously held sherry, port or bourbon. The water comes from a tributary of the River Bush. The visit ends with a tasting for those aged 18 and over, and there are non-alcoholic options.
Whiskey is part of the local culture, and the tour shows the craft of the distillers and the village history, which grew up around the distillery and the river-powered mills. The distillery’s bar and café serve meals.
Tours run at set times, with advance booking recommended, and production can stop during maintenance periods, when the tour shows only part of the process.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour guided tour, with tasting.
Best time
In the morning or early afternoon on a weekday, with a pre-booked time. It’s a good option for a rainy day on the coast.
How to get there
It’s on Distillery Road in the village of Bushmills, a 5-minute walk from the centre and about 3 km from the Calçada dos Gigantes. coastal buses stop in the village.
Tip
Combine it with the Calçada dos Gigantes on the same day. Drivers can ask to have their tasting bottled in small sample bottles to try later.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Old Bushmills Distillery
Is the Bushmills distillery old?
The area received a distilling licence in 1608, and the current company was registered in 1784. It is among the oldest distilleries in the world still operating.
Does the tour include a tasting?
Yes, for over-18s, with non-alcoholic options.
Do you need to book?
It's recommended, because tours run at set times and fill up in summer.