Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills Distillery

Where History Meets Whiskey

Founded in 1608 and still going strong, the Old Bushmills Distillery holds the oldest whiskey distilling license in the world. Nestled in the village of Bushmills along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, this historic site isn’t just a distillery — it’s a living monument to over 400 years of craft and tradition.

A tour here takes you deep into the whiskey-making process, from copper pot stills to oak barrels, all under the iconic pagoda-style roof. You’ll learn how water from the nearby River Bush and malted Irish barley come together to create one of the smoothest spirits in Ireland.

What to See and Do

Take a guided tour through the working distillery and hear stories that date back centuries. See the mash house, fermentation tanks, and still house up close. Smell the malts, feel the heat from the stills, and finish with a tasting in the atmospheric bar.

Bushmills offers several types of tours, including a premium experience for whiskey enthusiasts. If you’re driving, don’t worry — they provide tasting samples to take home.

After the tour, visit the gift shop for exclusive bottlings, glassware, and branded souvenirs, or relax with a dram at the on-site bar.

Fun Fact

Bushmills was granted its license to distill in 1608 by King James I — that’s over 100 years before the United States even existed!

Local Insight

In the nearby village of Bushmills, grab a bite at one of the local pubs and ask for a Bushmills hot whiskey — the locals swear by it on chilly days.