When King Writes

I am not at all a whiskey lover, but my fiancé convinced me that going to Ireland without visiting at least one whiskey distillery would be a crime. Especially if you have the opportunity to visit the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world.

Spoiler alert: Even for a whiskey noob, the tour is actually enjoyable and very educational. 🙂 I have no regrets learning how Northern Ireland’s Bushmills Distillery turns water into gold.

Ireland and Whiskeys

One of the first things I learned about Ireland as a child was the story of a pot of gold and the green-clothed little people (leprechauns!) found at the end of the rainbow. It wasn’t until I met my fiancé, an avid whiskey connoisseur, that I was introduced to Ireland’s deep connection with its beloved “Irish whiskey.”

I won’t bore you with a long history lesson since you can easily dive into that rabbit hole online. But I will say this: whiskey isn’t just a drink in Ireland; it’s part of the country’s culture and pride. Wherever we went, someone was always talking about it.

We even came across several distillery maps that point to whiskey makers across the island.

That’s when it really hit me: visiting Ireland really means embracing a bit of whiskey tourism. And that’s not bad at all, especially when you’re with someone who’s genuinely excited about it. My fiancé’s enthusiasm was so infectious that I couldn’t help but look forward to our tour, too.

How to Join the Tour

The easiest way to book a guided tour of Bushmills Distillery is through their website. You can choose between a standard guided tour or one that includes malt tastings. We went for the latter because my fiance wouldn’t have it any other way. 😅

Tours are timed, meaning you’ll join a group at a specific schedule rather than having a private session. Slots are limited, and certain tour types aren’t offered every day, so it’s best to check availability and book early.

Location

Bushmills Distillery is much closer to Belfast than to Dublin, but we didn’t go there straight from Belfast. We stopped in a few cities along the way and spent a couple of days exploring other attractions, including the Titanic Museum.

However, I’ve read that some people actually drive straight from their Belfast hotel to the distillery. Nothing should stop you from doing this since, according to Google Maps, the drive from the airport to the distillery is roughly just an hour.

Our Experience

The Guided Tour

For many visitors, the highlight is the tasting. BUT that comes after an hour-long guided walk through the distillery.

While I won’t spoil everything, I’ll share a few highlights. Since Bushmills is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, we got to see some fascinating old tools and equipment that are no longer in use today. We also saw the modern production process, from fermentation to bottling, which gave me a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship and teamwork behind every bottle.

We also learned that whiskey, much like wine, varies in flavor for many reasons. Irish whiskey is typically lighter, thanks to its traditional triple-distillation process. Regional differences such as local climate, soil, and water also influence the taste and character of each whiskey.

Sorry I can’t show any photos from the guided tour. Taking photos or videos aren’t allowed until you get to the bar for malt tasting.

Note: Since Bushmills is a working distillery, you can’t freely roam around. Only the bar and merchandise shop are open for unguided exploration. The rest of the time, you’ll be escorted by your guide who, in our experience, was fantastic and full of stories! If something catches your eye during the tour, don’t hesitate to stop and ask questions because you won’t be going back to the same spot.

The Malt Tasting

Now for the best part: the malt tasting!

We had ours at the distillery bar, where we could choose which malt to try. They have proper seating and spacious tables, and gave us time to enjoy the experience. You can also order more whiskey afterward to savor at your own pace.

One of the coolest perks that my fiance really appreciated: some tastings include exclusive malts — bottles not available in stores or bars and only sold at the distillery. It’s a small but satisfying reward for making the trip. 🙂

Exclusive Merchandise

At the merch shop, whiskey lovers can browse to their heart’s content. You’ll find everything from aged whiskeys with unique flavor profiles to collectible bottles and even suitcase-friendly souvenirs for friends and family. 

My favorite purchase was a triple-distilled 12-year single malt Irish whiskey. Not because I plan to drink it, but because the bottle was customizable. It’s a proud addition to any home bar, printed with the name “Garfield,” after my beloved fluffy ginger. Others on the tour named theirs after family or friends to give as gifts, but of course, I had to dedicate mine to my boy.

All in all, we spent about two hours at Bushmills; an hour for the guided tour and the rest for malt tasting and shopping. There’s not much else to do at the distillery besides those three things — tour, taste and shop — but our guide lingered at the bar afterward for a chat, which made the experience even better. 🙂