December 15, 2025
How To Best Enjoy Irish Whiskey: Neat, On The Rocks, Or In A Highball
We’ll never be the ones to dictate how you should or shouldn’t drink whiskey, but having been around for four centuries, we do know a thing or two about serving it. For us, the pleasure has always been in the company: sharing a dram, mixing cocktails for a crowd, or watching someone take their first sip. Each way of serving whiskey - be it neat, on the rocks, or in a Highball - offers a distinct experience and a very different expression of flavor.
But is there a correct way to serve it? Of course not. What we can offer are a few tried-and-true approaches - when to reach for a blend or a single malt, and which pour suits the moment you’re in.
Neat Whiskey: Savoring Irish Craft
For those asking “what is neat whiskey”, you’re in good company. Serving whiskey neat is a fancy phrase for a pour in a glass - that's it. Tasting whiskey like this, without the presence of other ingredients (say, in a cocktail), highlights the texture of the malt, the gentle spice of the cask, and the layers of character that emerge sip by sip. Some prefer to add a few drops of water to open those layers even more.
Each taste reflects years of careful aging, the quiet precision of the distiller, and the dialogue between wood and malt. A good whiskey to drink neat commands attention: our 16 Year Old Single Malt, matured in bourbon, sherry, and Madeira casks, releases honeyed fruit, toasted nuts, and a whisper of warming spice. Or, the 21 Year Old Single Malt, which unfolds with dried fruit, caramel, and baking spice. These expressions begin to show the influence of oak, and for many connoisseurs, the neat pour is the best (or only way to drink Irish whiskey, drawing focus, slowing time, and opening the senses to the full depth, and artistry of the spirit.
Drinking Whiskey on the Rocks: Gentle and Balanced
Still, adding a few ice cubes goes a long way to transform the experience and reveal new dimensions in the whiskey. Drinking whiskey on the rocks (aka adding ice) allows the spirit to open gradually, releasing aromas that might remain hidden at room temperature, while softening the warmth of the alcohol for a smooth, approachable sip. For the best experience, choose large, clear ice cubes or spheres, which melt slowly and minimize dilution.
On the rocks, you’ll find our 12 Year Old Single Malt draws out layers of dried fruit, roasted nuts, and warming spice, courtesy of the Marsala wine cask it's finished in. The contribution of ice softens the edges and encourages a deliberate, attentive sip. If you prefer blended whiskeys like Black Bush, you may notice it responds to the ice with a different rhythm: rich, fruity notes emerge alongside velvety malt, and subtle sherry sweetness.
Highball Whiskey: Balanced, Bright, and Effervescent
Learning how to drink whiskey is a lesson in balance. The Bushmills Highball captures the beauty of proportion, with a measured pour, ice, and soda water that lifts the whiskey’s natural character. Each detail works in harmony, which is precisely what makes this serve so popular among whiskey lovers. Vibrant, effervescent, and easily mastered, this modern classic shows that with just three ingredients (Bushmills, Club Soda, and lemon twist) in the right balance, a drink can achieve perfection.
And of course, the Highball’s not the only way to enjoy a good whiskey. An Old Fashioned is a classic choice - it doesn’t hide the whiskey or dress it up too much. It adds just a little sweetness, a little bitterness, and lets the spirit speak for itself. It’s the slower, moodier counterpart to the Highball: stirred, unhurried, and perfect when you want a sip that lingers.
High-End Whiskey Tasting, Not Required
Wherever the setting - a cozy pub, a sunlit living room, or an evening among friends - pouring Bushmills transforms a moment into something memorable. Crystal glassware and white tablecloths were never necessities for enjoying Irish whiskey, and they’re not a part of our tradition today. Our legacy is four centuries of craftsmanship, with careful cask selection and patient aging shaping each bottle. From long time favorites like Black Bush to rare single malts like our 46 YO Secrets of the River Bush, each expression reveals layers of character and texture that naturally draw people together, turning every pour into a shared moment of appreciation and connection.
Explore the Bushmills collection and find the perfect bottle, delivered to your door from the world’s oldest licensed distillery.
