Bushmills expands World Wood Series with 18 Year Old single malt

Bushmills Irish Whiskey is expanding its World Wood Series of travel retail exclusives with an 18 Year Old single malt.

Initially available exclusively through Asia Pacific travel retail outlets, the expression will make its debut at the upcoming TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition in Singapore from 12-15 May on the Proximo Spirits stand (Basement 2 N11).

Crafted by Bushmills Master Blender Alex Thomas, the World Wood series is a collection of small-batch Irish whiskeys that use a variety of casks for each expression from world-class cooperages and winemakers.

This new release has been matured in bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 17 years before finishing in rare Colheita port casks sourced from an award-winning bodega in Portugal’s Douro Valley.

“We search the four corners of the world to find exactly the right casks to bring back to our corner in Northern Ireland,” Thomas said.

To preserve flavour, Thomas ensured that no more than a week passed between the port casks being emptied in northern Portugal and refilled with aged whiskey in Northern Ireland.

Colheita is a single vintage port that only uses grapes from a single year’s harvest before ageing for at least seven years. Unlike normal tawny port, the grapes are not blended for consistency and flavour can vary year to year.

To complement the character of Bushmills, Thomas chose a Colheita that had been maturing for 15-20 years, so the port had soaked deep into the oak to ensure the casks were ripe and ready to give maximum flavour to the whiskey.

Thomas explained: “Each Colheita port cask has a phenomenal aromatic intensity. When we first opened them, a flood of sensational warm, fresh, and deep fruit flavours filled the room. It was incredible. This mouth-watering depth of flavour is what makes this 18 Year Old release so unique – perfectly complementing our deeper floral and fruity Bushmills DNA.”

The combination of three distinct oak casks imparts depth and complexity, said Proximo Spirits. The bourbon casks offer notes of vanilla and almond, while the sherry butts enhance the profile with deeper dried fruit flavours and a subtle hint of spice. The Colheita port casks introduce fresh, intense fruit notes and a “silky crème brûlée sweetness”.

Bottled at a 46% ABV, “the intricate layers of spiced fruit and velvety honey sweetness are fully showcased, offering a rich tasting experience,” added the company.

The introduction of Bushmills 18 Year Old Single Malt follows the releases of the 12 Year Old in 2024, and the 15 and 21 Year Old expressions in 2023. Following its exclusive launch across the Asia Pacific region from May 2025, Bushmills 18 Year Old Single Malt will be rolled out to travel retail globally from January 2026. It carries an RRP of US$140 for a 700ml bottle.

Proximo Spirits Head of Global Travel Retail Roy Summers said: “We are thrilled to be further strengthening our travel retail portfolio and specifically our offer to regional partners in Asia with Bushmills 18 Year Old Single Malt. I’m delighted to be introducing this incredible new liquid to visitors at the forthcoming TFWA Asia Pacific event, expanding the World Wood Travel Retail Exclusive Series.”

The launch will be supported by activations at key airports within Asia Pacific during 2025 and globally from 2026.