Bushmills® Irish Whiskey, the pioneers of Irish single malt, from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, are sharing finely crafted poetry composed by George the Poet – the voice of his generation – across their social media channels and beyond. The lyrical verse has been thoughtfully inspired by Bushmills’ rich heritage, steeped in stories and craft. It aims to celebrate the importance of storytelling to help us all reconnect and encourage others to share a tale while enjoying a glass of award-winning, handcrafted single malt whiskey.

The Singular Tales poem and performance by George Mpanga explores universal themes of how passing on unique stories and invisible connections bring us closer together, all elements which lie at the heart of Bushmills. It is an ode to the collaboration and craftsmanship inherent to human partnerships, communities and in the generations of whiskey making at Bushmills. Five stanzas of genius wordsmithing demonstrate how we are all connected by a mutual appreciation for sharing tales.

Bushmills and George are honouring the role and theatre of storytelling within local communities and how this shapes who we are. George is famed for his ability to distil family stories, blending them with his own personal experiences and social commentary while Bushmills’ own 400 year history is steeped in Singular Tales of whiskey craftsmanship passed down through the generations. The duo share a mutual appreciation of whiskey craft and the art of meaningful, poetic performance.

The Singular Tales campaign was born out of Bushmills’ history of sharing experiences and stories in their whiskey making. Each cask of single malt whiskey tells its own tale with remarkable flavours and different levels of maturation, that are only bottled when they have reached a perfect harmony. Bushmills whiskey balances artistry and craft informed by days gone by and the desire to push boundaries and innovate.

Autumn sees the release of two new, Causeway Collection releases which nod to the distillery’s proximity to the steeped-in-tales and mythical Giant’s Causeway. Last December (2020), the first UK limited edition sold out in less than 24 hours. George The Poet’s Singular Tales invites us to connect and share our own stories over a dram.

The award-winning range of iconic Irish single malts – comprising 10, 16 and 21 year old expressions – is steeped in the influences of the dramatic local landscape and unusual microclimate. Located on the rugged north-east coast of Northern Ireland, every drop of water used for distillation is drawn from the River Bush, which flows over the same mineral-rich basalt rock as the renowned Giant’s Causeway, residing nearby. The area is rich in myths and legends preserved in Irish oral traditions and also passed down over centuries, via literature, poems, plays and songs.

George the Poet commented: “My words are informed by what I see around me in my community; its creativity, its history, and its resilience. I was inspired by the richness of Bushmills’ role within the community and the 400-year-long heritage. Working on this verse for the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, has showed me our similarities, with their long history and love of sharing stories. I look at this poem as a perfect blend of craftsmanship and creativity, and I hope it inspires others to share their experiences over a glass of Bushmills or two.”

Singular Tales by George the Poet

You’d be surprised how much your story could mean
to someone you’ve never met.

A connection you hardly notice
could be the closest you’ll ever get.

But if we could see those invisible connections,
what would they reveal?

Singular tales, blended together
Day by day, distilled.

Like an old whiskey, every story has a flavour
And every flavour has a story.

One hand washes the other.
There’s so much to discover.

The story of human partnership is
One of collaboration and craftsmanship.
It’s hard to grasp it individually;
‘Cause it’s bigger than you, and it’s bigger than me.

But it’s the story that keeps us connected,
So why not make the most of that?
We find meaning in what we believe in.
Let’s toast to that!