At the top of the village you will find what Bushmills has become known worldwide for - the famous Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery. The Victorian architecture of the Distillery dates from 1885 when it was rebuilt due to a fire.

It is located on the on the banks of St. Columb's Rill and reputed to be the oldest licensed Distillery in the world - being given legal status in 1608 when King James 1st granted a license to local landowner Sir Thomas Phillips.

The process of illegal distillation in the village goes back even further than 1608. Local folklore tells of whiskey being made illegally in the 1400's, there are also records of a Sir Robert Savage enjoying the 'aqua vitae' (whiskey) with his troops in 1276 and the drink is even mentioned in the Book of Leinster.

The 'Old Bushmills' Distillery is the World's Oldest Licensed Whiskey Distillery. King James I granted the original license in April 1608 and Bushmills has been making the finest Irish Malt Whiskey here for almost four hundred years. We will be shortly celebrating our 400th Birthday in 2008.

Situated two miles from the spectacular Giant's Causeway, and one mile from the historical Dunluce Castle the Distillery lies in an area of outstanding beauty, which is rich in history and folklore.

At Bushmills you are invited to experience for yourself the craft and skills of making an Irish Single Malt Whiskey. During our guided tour you will discover the secrets of the special water from St. Columb's Rill, the malted Irish barley, triple distillation in copper stills and ageing for long years in Oak Casks. Of course, no visit would be complete without enjoying a complimentary glass of the final product , one of our famous whiskeys.