Introduction
Today, we're diving into something truly special: Bushmills “The Rare Casks” 29-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish Irish Whiskey. This bottle is part of Bushmills’ Rare Casks series, and this specific release represents their second offering in that line. Distilled on April 6, 1992, aged 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels, and then transferred to Pedro Ximénez casks for an additional 17 years, it’s bottled at 53% ABV (106 proof). With only 500 bottles available and an MSRP of $750, this is as rare as it gets.
Brad and I are eager to break this one down. Last week, we reviewed the Bushmills 30-Year-Old, which set a high bar, but this whiskey has its own unique story to tell. Let’s see how it stacks up.
This review is taken from our episode "Mad Max: Fury Road / Bushmills Rare Cask 29-Year Irish Whiskey." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: The nose on this whiskey is incredible. There’s a heavy fig and raisin presence right away, with some bright notes of white grapes. It reminds me of powdered sugar being mixed into a batter—sweet, airy, and rich. There’s also a vibrant cherry juice note that takes me back to fresh cherry juice I had in Ukraine. It’s one of the most complex noses I’ve come across. I’m giving it an 8.5/10.
Bob: I’m picking up a lot of date on the nose, which is funny because I’ve eaten dates but never really stopped to smell them. This smells exactly like how a date tastes: syrupy and sugary. There’s a ton of molasses here, and I even get a slight cola note, which I wasn’t expecting. Cherry is there too, almost like what we get on well-aged wheated bourbons. I love this nose—it’s better than the Bushmills 30 for me. I’m giving it a 10/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate is absolutely stunning. It’s the most prune-forward whiskey I’ve ever had, but somehow that works in its favor. There’s cherry syrup, baking spices, and even a bit of clove. It’s incredibly rich and complex. This is a 9.5/10 for me.
Bob: I wanted to love this palate, but it’s a mixed bag for me. Up front, it’s all prune juice, which is fine, but then the back of the palate shifts to an incredibly bitter, sour, and dry red wine note. It overwhelms everything else. There’s some unsweetened cherry juice and prune lingering, but it just feels like the PX cask influence has taken over completely. I respect the craftsmanship, but I can only give this a 6/10.
Finish
Brad: The finish is fantastic. It’s medium-bodied and carries forward all the complexity from the palate—breadiness, baking spices, figs, cherry, and prune. There’s a warm, comforting feel to it that I really love. This is a 9.5/10 for me.
Bob: The finish lasts a long time, and it’s certainly mouthwatering, but it’s where the bitter and sour notes linger for me. The prune dominates here, and the delicacy I typically love in Irish whiskey feels completely overshadowed. I’ll bump this up slightly compared to the palate and give it a 6.5/10.
Balance
Brad: For me, the balance is superb. Every element of this whiskey, from the nose to the finish, works together beautifully. While it’s not as crushable as the Bushmills 30, it’s a whiskey that demands your attention and rewards it. I’m giving it a 9.5/10.
Bob: There’s a drastic shift between the nose and the back of the palate that throws the balance off for me. The PX cask influence is so strong that it overwhelms what I imagine would have been a beautifully delicate Irish whiskey. I’ll stick with a 6.5/10 here.
Value
Bob: This whiskey had an MSRP of $750, though secondary prices range from $1,000 to $2,000. While I personally don’t love this whiskey, I respect the amount of craftsmanship and time that went into making it. For such a rare release, it’s priced fairly, but I wouldn’t spend the money on it myself. I’m giving it a 7/10 for value.
Brad: I think this is a great value for what it is, though I do think the Bushmills 30 offers more bang for your buck. Still, this is an incredibly well-made whiskey, and if you’re in the market for a rare luxury pour, it’s worth considering. I’m giving it a 7.5/10.
Final Scores
Brad: My final score is 44.5/50.
Bob: I’m much lower at 36/50, which surprises me given how much I loved the nose.
Together, we average out to 40.25/50, or 80.5/100, just barely crossing the threshold for a no-brainer recommendation.
Conclusion
Bushmills “The Rare Casks” 29-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is an intricate whiskey with a lot to unpack. For Brad, it’s a near-perfect experience. For me, the PX cask influence was too dominant. If you’re a fan of rich, wine-finished whiskeys, this might be worth a pour at the bar, though the $90-$100 pour price might give you pause. For us, the 35/50 mark is where we recommend trying or buying, and this whiskey comfortably surpasses that. If you have the opportunity to grab a bottle, it’s worth experiencing this rare piece of Irish whiskey history.
