Bushmills brings the spirit of Ireland to DDF

A refined evening of Irish heritage, craftsmanship, and exceptional whiskey unfolded at Annamaya, Aerocity, as Monika Alcobev and Proximo Spirits unveiled Bushmills’ exclusive Global Travel Retail (GTR) whiskey range at Delhi Duty Free. The intimate gathering on Monday welcomed an elite audience of journalists, industry experts, and whiskey connoisseurs eager to experience the essence of this legendary 400-year-old distillery.

Guests were guided through an immersive session by Aaron Lay, GTR Regional Director-Asia Pacific at Proximo Spirits, who unveiled five specially curated expressions—each a masterpiece of Bushmills’ legendary whiskey-making legacy.

This exclusive GTR range, bottled at 46 percent ABV, caters to diverse taste profiles. Each whiskey has been meticulously crafted using a combination of bourbon and sherry oak casks, carefully selected by master blender Alex Thomas.

The lineup included:

• 10-Year-Old Single Malt – A beautifully balanced expression aged in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks,   giving a complex sherry character of raisins and nuts, coupled with Bushmills’ signature honey and vanilla maltiness. 
• 12-Year-Old Single Malt – Matured in bourbon casks for 11 years before finishing in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, giving this unique single malt aromas of dried fruit, vanilla and chocolate, flavours of espresso and liquorice, with a gentle spice complexity.
• 15-Year-Old Single Malt – A double-cask finish, aged in a 50/50 combination of ex-bourbon first-fill and American oak second-fill casks for 15 years, giving this luscious whiskey flavours of toasted oak, roasted nuts, and apple spice.
• 21-Year-Old Single Malt – A luxurious, dessert variant aged for 18 years in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks before a final three-year finish in rare first-fill Marsala casks, leading to flavours of warm ginger, candied fruits, and gentle oak.

All these are part of the renowned Bushmills ‘World Wood Series’, showcasing the brand’s extraordinary expertise in whiskey distilling and wood management with carefully curated single malts aged in the finest and rarest hand-selected casks.

In addition, Black Bush, a rich blend of 80 percent single malt and 20 percent Irish grain whiskey, offers an incredibly smooth and full-bodied taste.

With duty-free shopping playing a key role in premium liquor sales, the Indian market presents a significant opportunity for Bushmills. “Around 70 percent of Indian purchases in travel retail happen in Arrival, and Bushmills’ has a great range which is exclusive for travel retail,” noted Kunal Patel, Managing Director and CEO of Monika Alcobev.

The launch marks a significant milestone in making high-quality Irish whiskey more accessible to Indian enthusiasts. “What distinguishes Bushmills from other Irish whiskeys is that it is triple-distilled so it’s incredibly smooth, giving a traditional scotch whisky drinker an excellent alternative to discover something new, to try something new and expand their palate within whisky,” said Roy Summers, Head of Global Travel Retail at Proximo Spirits.

Echoing this sentiment, Kunal added, “The first whisky I enjoyed was an Irish whiskey and that’s where the whole seed planted in my head that I need to get something like this which is easy drinking and connects with the people of India like scotch whisky did. That’s how we got Bushmills to India.”

Bushmills’ GTR-exclusive range ensures that whether you’re a seasoned whiskey drinker or someone looking to explore new flavours, there’s a perfect bottle for you. “We’re able to offer anyone going through an Indian airport, whether an experienced whiskey drinker or someone who wants to try some new flavour profile, a wide range to choose from. The bottle is perfect for gifting purposes as well. So, from an occasion or taste profile perspective, we have got a really exciting, very high quality range,” Roy stated.

For those who appreciate the art of fine spirits, this collaboration between Proximo Spirits and Monika Alcobev marks a thrilling addition to Delhi Duty Free—one that whiskey lovers won’t want to miss. And the best part? More exciting releases are on the horizon, with Bushmills set to introduce new products to the Indian market in the next 12-15 months.