Bushmills is the iconic Irish brand of the oldest whisky distillery in the world. Founded in 1608 by Sir Thomas Phillips, it was acquired by Diageo in 2005 for £200 million. In 2008 the Bank of Ireland launched banknotes with the Old Bushmills Distillery image, honoring the brand’s heritage.
It may surprise you to learn that there are only three whisky companies in Ireland today. But all three are real stars. Among them is Bushmills, the oldest distillery in the world, which was licensed to create whisky back in 1608. The creation of the company was entirely due to Sir Thomas Phillips, who was a crony of the King of Northern Ireland and was in charge of distributing whisky licenses.
True, back in the middle of the last century on the bottles the year of the foundation of the distillery appeared not 1608, but 1784. It was then that the trademark Old Bushmills Distillery was registered.
As you have already guessed, the name of the brand has nothing to do with the name of its founder. Two words merged in the distillery’s name – Bush, the name of the river whose water is used for the brand’s whiskey, and mill, which was also quite real, it was the one used to grind the malt used to create the drink.
The brand has had its ups and downs throughout its development. But it has withstood all economic crises, devastation after wars, and strong competition. Today Bushmills is a successful whisky brand that exports its products to more than 40 countries. And the company’s factory (The Old Bushmills Distillery) is open for visits and attracts about 200 thousand tourists every year, which makes it one of the main attractions of the region.
What is Bushmills?
Bushmills is a renowned Irish whiskey distillery located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. With a history dating back to 1608, it is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world, producing high-quality Irish whiskey known for its smoothness and distinctive flavor.
The Bushmills logo is a wordmark on a black background enclosed in a gold frame with a ribbon pattern. The wordmark is executed in a white bold serif, which reflects the brand’s quality and rich history, yet has a modern look.
The Bushmills label also features an embossing of both the 1608 original distillation license and the signature image of the famous Old Bushmills Distillery potstill, which tells the brand’s story and emphasizes the authenticity of Bushmills Single Malts.