Old Bushmills Distillery | Antrim

Old Bushmills Distillery is a historic industrial complex located on the banks of the River Bush in Bushmills, County Antrim. It holds the title of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, producing Irish single malt and blended whiskeys.

Visual Characteristics

The distillery features traditional 19th-century industrial architecture characterized by whitewashed stone walls, black-painted timber accents, and iconic twin pagoda-style kiln roofs. The interior contains massive copper pot stills with long, slender necks and a maturation warehouse filled with charred oak casks. The site is situated on a 15-acre plot with the River Bush flowing along its eastern perimeter.

Location & Access Logistics

The facility is located at 2 Distillery Road, Bushmills, approximately 100km north of Belfast via the M2 and A26. Translink bus services 170, 172, and 402 stop directly in Bushmills village, a 5-minute walk from the entrance. A large, free paved parking lot is available on-site for cars and coaches. The Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills Railway also connects the distillery to the Giant’s Causeway during the summer months.

Historical & Ecological Origin

King James I granted a royal license to distil whiskey in the area to Sir Thomas Phillips in 1608. The current distillery buildings largely date to 1885, rebuilt following a fire that destroyed the previous structures. The distillery utilizes water from St. Columb’s Rill, a tributary of the River Bush that flows over basalt rock, contributing to the specific mineral profile of the spirit.

Key Highlights & Activities

Guided production tours allow visitors to observe the mashing, fermentation, distillation, and bottling processes. Specialized whiskey tastings are held in the 1608 Bar. A large retail shop offers distillery-exclusive bottlings and personalized labeling services. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the production areas due to the presence of flammable alcohol vapors but is permitted in the courtyard.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site includes a full-service restaurant (The Distillery Kitchen), a gift shop, and restrooms. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, though some parts of the historic production floor have uneven surfaces. 5G cellular signal is strong throughout the village and distillery grounds. There is limited outdoor shade, but the majority of the visitor experience is indoors.

Best Time to Visit

Tours operate year-round, but booking in advance is mandatory during the peak summer months (June to August). For a quieter experience with more access to staff, visit during the winter months or on a weekday morning. The distillery typically closes for production during "silent season" in late summer, during which maintenance occurs, though visitor tours usually continue.

Facts & Legends

While the license dates to 1608, the "Old Bushmills" company was not officially formed until 1784. A local curiosity is that the distillery was one of the few to remain operational during the American Prohibition era, positioning it to dominate the export market once the ban was lifted. The "Angel’s Share" refers to the 2% of whiskey that evaporates through the oak barrels each year during maturation.

Nearby Landmarks

Giant's Causeway – 4.1km Northeast

Dunluce Castle – 3.6km West

The Dark Hedges – 13.5km Southeast

Portballintrae Harbour – 2.2km Northwest

Runkerry House – 4.0km North