Bushmills 10 Year Old (1980s Edition)
75cl / 40% (OUT OF STOCK)
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- Cask type: Oak
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Ireland
Tasting Notes
Cut Grass, Fruit Salad and Sultanas
Soft Fruit, Lime, Honey and Vanilla
Medium Finish, Lime, Ginger and Oak
A 1980s bottling of Ireland’s iconic single malt, triple-distilled and matured at least 10 years — a vintage Irish whisky collectible.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | The Old Bushmills Distillery (County Antrim, Northern Ireland). |
| Category | Single Malt Irish Whiskey. |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 10 years old; this edition from the 1980s (bottled in that era). |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% ABV (in some 100 cl listings); or 40% ABV in earlier versions; size often 100 cl for the 1980s edition. |
| Cask / Treatment | Matured in selected oak casks (maturation period at least 10 years); specific cask type not always documented for this edition. |
| Natural Colour | Not stated. |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated. |
| Cask Strength | No – standard strength (40–43% ABV). |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not publicly disclosed. |
| Intended channel | Standard retail channels in 1980s; vintage collectible now. |
| Packaging | 1980s style label, often 100 cl size, colonial-era bottle styling; may bear triple-distilled claim; “10 Year Old” age statement. |
| Notes on discrepancies | ABV varies by market (40% vs 43%) and size varies (100 cl vs 70 cl). Verify that the bottle is genuine 1980s edition and not modern re-label. |
Historical Context
The Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim is one of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distilleries (licence from 1608). In the 1980s, the brand issued a 10-year-old single malt matured for at least 10 years, triple-distilled from 100% malted barley and matured in oak casks. The 1980s edition is increasingly sought by collectors because production volumes were lower, packaging has vintage character, and the casks matured under older warehouse conditions. As the Irish whiskey revival has grown, vintage bottles such as this have gained interest.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Bushmills 10 Year Old (1980s bottling) – 10 Years old; 100 cl size; 43% ABV (some listings) or 40% ABV (other markets) depending on region.
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70 cl versions exist for other markets/eras (e.g., 70 cl, 40% ABV) but may not be the “1980s edition” as specified.
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Modern 10 Year Old bottling (post-2000) has 40% ABV, 70 cl, and matured in sherry and bourbon casks; different specification.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43% | 100 cl | 1980s vintage (Ireland/UK) | Label states “10 Year Old”, size 100 cl, older label design | High amongst Irish whiskey vintage collectors |
| 40% | 70 cl | 1990s/2000s (younger edition) | Smaller size, updated design | Lower value compared to 1980s edition |
| 40% | 70 cl | Modern edition | Newer label, matured in sherry & bourbon cask barrels | Widely available, lower collectible premium |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Bottle: 1980s design, typically 100 cl size (1 litre) for this edition; verify size and imprint.
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Label: Should clearly state “Bushmills 10 Year Old”, “Single Malt Whiskey”, “Matured at least 10 years in specially selected oak casks” (in some listings).
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ABV: Check for 43% ABV (for 100cl format) or region-specific variants; a mismatch vs known edition may signal different market or re-label.
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Closure: Security seal of era, capsule likely metal screw-cap or early foil; verify no signs of tampering.
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Fill level: Vintage bottles may show some evaporation, but significant low fill or leakage is red flag.
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Condition: Check for label fading, bottle scuffs, seal damage. Packaging from 1980s is older so expect some wear, but avoid bottles with heavy damage or missing parts.
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Red flags: Modern 10 Year Old labelled “1980s edition” claim may be misleading; verify size/ABV/vintage. Non-matching ABV/size or poor condition will impact value.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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Irish whiskey must be distilled in Ireland, matured at least 3 years in oak casks; this bottle meets those requirements with 10 years stated.
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Label design and regulatory wording changed over time; older bottles may use “Whiskey” spelling or different protections.
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The 43% ABV variant is above minimum; however, current standard bottle sizes are 70 cl, so 100 cl 1980s edition is historically consistent.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
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Nose: Review of 1980s edition describes triple-distilled malt with honey, vanilla and milk chocolate aroma (for general 10 Year Old range).
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Palate: Triple distillation yields smooth texture; notes of malt biscuit, vanilla, light fruit, and oak. (Generalised for era).
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Finish: Medium-to-long, smooth, slight sweetness.
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With water: Not documented for this vintage edition.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by producer for 1980s edition.
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Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Listings show ~£175 for 100 cl, 43% edition.
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Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Examples of 100 cl 43% edition listed at £99.99 (out-of-stock listing) in some specialist retailer.
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Pricing stratification: 1980s 100 cl 43% edition commands higher premium vs later 70 cl 40% editions; condition, fill and label design influence value strongly.
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Liquidity & sourcing note: Vintage Irish single malts have growing collector interest, but remain niche; condition is key; 100 cl format may have been stored less carefully and fills may vary.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Undated | 100 cl, 43% (1980s) | ~£175 | Specialist online listing |
| Retail | Undated | 100 cl, 43% (1980s) | ~£99.99 | Earlier listing out-of-stock |
| Retail | Undated | 70 cl, 40% (later edition) | ~£99 (or lower) | Modern version, lower collectible value |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
The Old Bushmills Distillery (Northern Ireland) is historic, licensed since 1608, and has become a leading name in Irish single malt. The 10 Year Old single malt is a signature core offering; the 1980s edition represents a past era, packaging and maturation styles distinct from modern iterations. The triple-distilled malt aged at least 10 years offers a collectible example of its time. The distillery’s heritage and rising interest in vintage Irish whiskey add to the appeal.
Sourcing
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Target formats/eras to prefer: 100 cl bottle, 43% ABV, clearly labelled “10 Year Old” and showing distinct 1980s label design. Higher fill and intact capsule are preferable.
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Red flags to avoid: Bottles labelled “10 Year Old” but with modern label design or 70 cl size incorrectly marked as 1980s edition; fill level very low; missing or damaged capsule; mismatched ABV/size.
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Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Fill into neck or above preferred; capsule secure; label intact and legible; bottle free of corrosion or seepage; original box (if present) is a plus.
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Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Margins may be favorable for clean 1980s bottles, but collector market is narrower than mainstream single malts; turnover may require patience.
