Everything you need to know about visiting the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery — Old Bushmills on the north Antrim coast of Northern Ireland.
Old Bushmills Distillery — licensed since 1608 and located in the village of Bushmills on the north Antrim coast — is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery and one of Northern Ireland's most visited attractions.
History The Old Bushmills Distillery was granted its licence in 1608 by King James I, making it the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The village of Bushmills has been associated with whiskey production for centuries before the 1608 grant, with the River Bush providing the pure spring water essential to quality Irish whiskey production.
The distillery has been in continuous production for over 400 years, surviving war, the Troubles, and Prohibition (during which it briefly produced medicinal spirits). It is now owned by Mexican company Jose Cuervo.
The Whiskey Bushmills produces a range of Irish whiskeys, all made with triple-distilled malt: - Bushmills Original: The classic blended Irish whiskey, smooth and accessible - Black Bush: A richer, more complex blend with a high proportion of sherry-casked single malt - Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt: The entry-level single malt, triple distilled - Bushmills 12 Year Old: Aged in both bourbon and sherry casks - Bushmills 16 Year Old: The finest and most complex expression - Bushmills 21 Year Old: Aged in Madeira wine casks — exceptional
The Distillery Tour Tours of the distillery run daily and include: - The mashing and fermentation process - The three copper pot stills - The maturation warehouses (where the whiskey ages) - A whiskey tasting session with multiple expressions - Access to the distillery shop
Tour duration: Approximately 1 hour Admission: Approximately £15 per adult Booking: Recommended in advance, especially in summer
Nearby Attractions Old Bushmills Distillery is just 3 miles from the Giant's Causeway and 6 miles from the Dark Hedges, making it easy to combine with a wider Causeway Coast day.
Our Bushmills Tour Our Bushmills Distillery & Giant's Causeway private tour from Belfast combines both attractions in a single day. We include hotel pickup, expert guide, parking, and drop-off. Contact us to book.