Bushmills The Steamship Collection Port Cask Reserve

The series takes its name from the SS Bushmills, the steamship once used to transport Bushmills whiskey around the world, and each release is built around a specific cask type to show how it reshapes the distillery’s spirit character.

Matured in Ruby Port pipes, this expression leans into the way fortified wine casks change both flavour and texture over time. Ruby Port is a fortified Portuguese wine from the Douro Valley, typically matured for a shorter period in large vessels to preserve a bright, fruit forward character before bottling. Ruby Port seasoning tends to drive darker fruit notes and a richer sweetness, while also introducing subtle tannin structure that firms up the finish. In practical terms, it brings a red fruit register you do not usually see as clearly in Bushmills, moving the profile towards berry compote, damson and gentle cocoa depth rather than lighter orchard fruit.

On the nose, expect honeyed malt, warm port sweetness and vanilla oak. The palate is richer and more robust, showing almond tones followed by damson and darker chocolate notes, with coffee-like bitterness in the background to keep the sweetness under control. The finish holds on with lingering fruit, soft spice and a final lift of oak and malt.