Bushmills 10 Year old Single Malt Irish Whisky 1980s 1st Release 40% alc by vol 700ml with OC

Here is a detailed review of the Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whisky (1980s, 1st release, 40% vol., 700ml) - a rarity with historical significance:

Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whisky (1980s 1st Release)

Alcohol content: 40% vol.
Volume: 700ml (typical size for the EU market)
Distillery: Old Bushmills Distillery, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Bottling period: Mid to late 1980s (first release of the 10-year-old single malt)

Historical background & significance

• Pioneer status: This bottle represents the first regular bottling of Bushmills as a *10-year-old single malt*. Prior to the 1980s, Bushmills mainly focussed on blends (such as Black Bush) or younger single malts.

• Innovation:The launch marked Bushmills' focus on high quality, matured single malts - a turning point for Irish whiskey, which at the time was still heavily dominated by blends.

• Packaging: Typical of the 1980s: green glass bottle with gold-coloured label, often with the words "Since 1608" and the iconic "Bushmills Celtic Harp" logo.

Sensory profile (based on historical records & expert reports)

• Colour: Light gold, amber (natural colour, no artificial darkening).

• Nose: Fresh and fruity with ripe apples, pears and honey, subtle notes of vanilla, oat biscuits and floral accents (hay, grass).

• Flavour: Smooth and balanced: Maltiness, caramel, baked apple pieces, accompanied by nuttiness (almonds) and a hint of cloves.

• Finish: Moderately long, dry with hints of oak, lemon peel and sweetish malt.

Special features & collector's value

• Rarity: As a 1st edition, this whiskey is extremely difficult to find today - especially in its original packaging and with a high fill level.

• Storage advice: If the bottle has been stored for more than 30 years, evaporation ("Angels' Share") and possible cork wear must be taken into account. Unopened bottles with an intact seal are particularly valuable.

• Market value (as of 2025):

  • Unopened & well preserved: €100-€150+ (depending on condition and provenance).
    Note: Values based on auction data (e.g. WhiskyAuctioneer) - case-by-case verification recommended.

Significance for Bushmills & Irish Whiskey

• Milestone: Laid the foundations for Bushmills' current premium single malt range (16y, 21y).

• Cultural influence:Demonstrated the renaissance of Irish single malts in the 1980s and established Bushmills as a counterpart to Scotch whiskies.

• Modern counterpart: Today's Bushmills 10y (from 2000) is a direct successor, but with a slightly adapted profile (more bourbon cask influence).

Rating & recommendations

• Collector: An absolute rarity- a must for lovers of historic Irish whiskies. Authenticity check (label style, bottle shape, fill level) is essential.

• Drinkers: A unique flavour experience if the bottle is intact! Tasting only recommended if the whiskey is not oxidised.

• Investment: Long-term stable value with upward trend, as iconic "flagship" first edition.

Important: When buying, check the seal integrity (original seal, no restorations) and provenance. Request photos of the bottle neck (fill level) and the condition of the cork!

Conclusion: The Bushmills 10y 1st Release is not only an outstanding whiskey, but a piece of Irish whiskey history. Its elegant, unadulterated characteristics reflect the craftsmanship of the Old Bushmills Distillery in an era that laid the foundations for the modern renaissance of Irish single malts.