For over four centuries, Bushmills has been a cornerstone of Irish whiskey craftsmanship. Its latest release, the Bushmills 46-Year-Old ‘Secrets of The River Bush’, marks a historic milestone – the oldest Irish single malt ever released. Matured in Oloroso sherry butts from Jerez, Spain, and limited to just 300 bottles worldwide, this ultra-prestige single malt embodies the power of time, tradition and the natural influence of the River Bush, which has shaped the character of Bushmills whiskey since 1608.
At the helm of this extraordinary release is Master Blender Alex Thomas, who has spent over two decades refining her craft at the distillery she dreamed of working in as a child. Born just 15 minutes from Bushmills, her background in timber ignited a lifelong fascination with wood and maturation. Today, she leads the development of Bushmills’ portfolio of premium single malts, carefully balancing innovation with heritage. With ‘Secrets of The River Bush’, Alex continues to carve her place in Irish whiskey’s evolving story – honouring the past while shaping the future.
Here, she speaks to us about her journey, her role at Bushmills, and the extraordinary story behind ‘Secrets of The River Bush’.
You were born just 15 minutes from Bushmills Distillery and joined the team 20 years ago. What did it mean personally for you to step into the role of Master Blender at such a historic site?
Honestly, I still can’t believe it, and that’s the truth. I feel incredibly fortunate and truly honoured to be trusted with this role. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, carrying the legacy of those who came before me into the future. I’ve been given the knowledge and guidance from former master blenders and many others who believed in me and taught me everything I needed to know. I owe them a huge thank you. Being here with you today and talking about the next chapter for Bushmills is a real privilege.
In your early career, you worked in timber. How did that background shape your understanding of the whiskey-making process?
That was the start of my love affair with wood. I learned about all the different types and how they were cut – especially how quarter-sawing created those straight grains essential for cask strength and flavour extraction. That craftsmanship taught me how a cask is built, why structure matters, and how those elements influence maturation. That hands-on knowledge set the foundation for my understanding of how wood interacts with spirit. It’s where my passion for maturation truly began. Seeing the transformation that happens inside the cask still excites me every day.
What fascinates you most about the interaction between spirit, wood and time?
It’s the infinite possibilities. You could take two casks filled with the same spirit on the same day, place them in different parts of the warehouse, and end up with two completely different whiskeys. The DNA is the same, but with slight differences – the thickness of the wood, how much bourbon was soaked in beforehand, and temperature fluctuations – they all influence how the spirit matures. Maturation is full of freedom. The distillery creates the same spirit every day, but once it goes into wood, anything can happen. You maintain consistency in your core range, but you also get to explore and innovate. That’s what I love.
As caretaker of the casks, how do you balance tradition with innovation at Bushmills?
It’s not always easy. You want to push boundaries and bring new whiskeys into the world – to bring more people into the category – but you also have to respect the process that made Bushmills what it is. We’ve stayed true to our traditional methods, and that history is incredibly important. I’m naturally impatient in life, but whiskey teaches you patience. Around 75–80% of my time is spent protecting the DNA of our core range. But I also get to put my own mark on new releases – like the Vermouth cask, which had never been used before. It’s about evolving while honouring what Irish whiskey is at its heart.
You helped launch the oldest Irish single malt whiskey ever – the 46-Year-Old. How does that reflect your journey and what does it mean for Bushmills?
I’ve been in the whiskey world less than half the lifetime of that whiskey, so it’s humbling. When I taste it, I think of the generations before me who made it possible – who laid it down with hope and care during a difficult time for Irish whiskey. It’s a way of saying thank you to them. They didn’t know what that cask would become, but they believed in a better future. I’m fulfilling their dream. That’s the most rewarding part. We never imagined we’d release a 46-year-old whiskey – it wasn’t the plan, but it became the story.
Tell us more about the era when this whiskey was first distilled.
The whiskey dates back to 1970, a particularly tough time in Irish whiskey history. Distilleries were closing all around us. The Coleraine Distillery shut, and only two remained in Ireland. Those who worked here then had no idea what the future held. Yet, they held on to their dreams and passion. Through prohibition, world wars and hardship, they remained committed – and thank goodness they did.
What can you share about the maturation and the two casks involved?
The whiskey was laid down in oloroso sherry butts sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato family in Jerez – we’ve worked with them for over 70 years. These two casks were filled on the same day, in the same way. They spent their lives side by side in one of our traditional warehouses. Over time, they developed such a striking harmony that we couldn’t separate them. It felt only right to marry them together to create something truly unique.
What does this whiskey represent to you personally?
I joined Bushmills over 20 years ago and worked alongside our incredible Master Blender, Helen Mulholland. She recognised early on that these casks were special. We cared for them, nurtured them, and monitored their development over decades. For me, they are like twin brothers – inseparable, perfectly balanced, and full of shared character. It’s a huge privilege to be part of this moment.
What’s the flavour profile like?
The flavour profile is exquisite. You’ll find rich, ripe dark fruits, sweet apricot, warm caramel and aromatic spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. There’s a wave of dark cherries, sun-dried raisins and baked pear – all balanced beautifully by aged oak. Despite being 46.3%, it’s incredibly smooth. You’d never guess its strength from the delicacy of the flavours. The finish is long, elegant and deeply satisfying.
The colour is extraordinary. What’s behind that?
It’s almost black, with a red-blue hue when held to the light. That colour comes naturally from 46 years in European oak casks – no additives. The wood, the sherry, the spirit, and the time have worked together to create something extraordinary.
The name “The Secrets of Bushmills: River, Oak & Time” is symbolic. Can you share the story behind it?
The River Bush has always been part of Bushmills – it flows right beneath the distillery and gives our whiskey its unique mineral character. The area was originally called Portcaman, and as industry grew, Bushmills got its name from the mills that sprang up along the riverbanks. The water flows over basalt rock like the Giant’s Causeway, and that minerality is central to our DNA. It’s more than just a name – it’s a link to the land, the people, and the past. My grandfather used to say Bushmills cured everything – it’s that sense of medicinal, elemental connection that really brings it full circle for me.
What does this release mean for Bushmills and Irish whiskey as a whole?
It’s a pinnacle moment. This whiskey has watched over every milestone of our journey – the release of our 10, 16, and 21-year-olds, the Causeway Collection, the Private Reserve. And now, as Irish whiskey is once again flourishing globally, this release represents a legacy fulfilled. It’s a piece of living history, both for Bushmills and for Irish whiskey.
How many bottles are available, and what’s the cost?
Just 300 bottles exist in the world – 100 of those will go to the United States. As you’d expect, this is a rare collector’s item. If someone wanted to buy a bottle, they’d be looking at around $12,500. It’s a significant investment, but for what it represents, it’s incomparable.
If you had to describe this whiskey in three words, what would they be?
Timeless. Harmonious. Grateful.
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