• The pioneers of smooth single malt Irish whiskey continue to push boundaries, expanding the acclaimed GTR exclusive ‘World Wood Series’ with an 18 Year Old Single Malt finished in Colheita port casks – a first for Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

• Showcasing some of the world’s rarest hand-selected casks, the World Wood Series draws on four centuries of craftsmanship to create an elusive collection of small-batch single malt Irish whiskeys – a testament to Bushmills’ relentless pursuit of perfection.
• Exclusive to Duty Free stores across Asia Pacific, this rare expression will launch May 2025 at the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference Singapore.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey, home of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, introduces an exquisite new 18 Year Old Single Malt to its ‘World Wood series’, available exclusively in APAC travel retail hubs.

For over four centuries, Bushmills has pursued perfection – staying true to its time-honoured craft while embracing constant innovation. Since 1608, this unwavering passion has inspired some of the most distinctive and esteemed Irish whiskeys in the world.

Crafted by Bushmills Master Blender, Alex Thomas, the World Wood series is an exceptional collection of small-batch Irish whiskeys that blend long-standing tradition with modern innovation. Utilising extraordinary casks is essential to crafting outstanding Irish single malt – a hallmark that has come to define Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

Guided by intuition, inspiration, and innovation, Alex carefully selects casks for each expression from world-class cooperages and winemakers, continuing partnerships that have been maturing for generations. “We search the four corners of the world to find exactly the right casks to bring back to our corner in Northern Ireland,” Alex explains.

This remarkable new release has been matured in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 17 years before finishing in rare Colheita port casks sourced from an award-winning bodega in Portugal’s Douro Valley.

To preserve every nuance of flavour, Bushmills Master Blender Alex Thomas ensured that no more than a week passed between the port casks being emptied in northern Portugal and refilled with aged whiskey in Northern Ireland.

Colheita is a single vintage port that only uses grapes from a single year’s harvest before ageing for at least seven years. Unlike normal tawny port, the grapes are not blended for consistency and flavour can vary year to year. To best complement the unique character of Bushmills, Alex chose a Colheita that had been maturing for 15-20 years, so the port had soaked deep into the oak to ensure the casks were ripe and ready to give maximum flavour to the whiskey.

Alex explains, “Each Colheita port cask has a phenomenal aromatic intensity. When we first opened them, a flood of sensational warm, fresh, and deep fruit flavours filled the room. It was incredible! This mouth-watering depth of flavour is what makes this 18 Year Old release so unique – perfectly complementing our deeper floral and fruity Bushmills DNA.”

The careful combination of three distinct oak casks imparts unparalleled depth and complexity: the bourbon casks offer notes of vanilla and almond, while the sherry butts enhance the profile with deeper dried fruit flavours and a subtle hint of spice. The Colheita port casks introduce fresh, intense fruit notes and a silky crème brûlée sweetness. Together, these casks create an extraordinary fruit-forward flavour profile.

Bottled at a 46% ABV, the intricate layers of spiced fruit and velvety honey sweetness are fully showcased, offering a rich tasting experience. This remarkable 18 Year Old Single Malt follows the releases of the 12 Year Old in 2024, and the 15 and 21 Year Old expressions in 2023. Available exclusively in GTR stores across the Asia Pacific region from May 2025, Bushmills 18 Year Old Single Malt is priced at $140 for a 700ml bottle.