Buy Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask The Causeway Collection Whiskey 70cl 48.2%

Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask The Causeway Collection Whiskey 70cl 48.2%

£240.00

The Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask from the Causeway Collection is another exceptional limited-edition release from the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland. This particular expression is unique due to its Vermouth cask finish, adding an exciting twist to the distillery’s well-known smooth, complex style.

Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask – Causeway Collection

Distillery: The Bushmills Distillery is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world, dating back to 1608. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, Bushmills has long been a pioneer in creating rich and refined Irish whiskies, with the Causeway Collection highlighting the distillery’s more experimental and exclusive releases.
Age: The Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask was distilled in 2002, meaning it has been carefully matured for over 20 years before being finished in Vermouth casks. This extended maturation gives the whisky a unique depth and complexity, which is further enhanced by the cask finishing process.
ABV: The whisky is bottled at 48.2% ABV (96.4 proof), offering a high-strength dram that still maintains a smooth mouthfeel while showcasing the intricate flavours that come from such a long maturation and cask finish.
Cask Finish: What sets this whiskey apart is the Vermouth cask finish, where the whisky is transferred to Vermouth casks after its maturation in traditional bourbon barrels. Vermouth, which is typically an aromatised fortified wine, imparts a range of herbal, spicy, and slightly sweet characteristics to the whisky, making it a fascinating and complex expression.

Flavour Profile

Nose: On the nose, the Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask opens with a unique blend of herbaceous and spicy aromas, which can be attributed to the Vermouth cask finish. There are notes of cherry, dried fruit, and a light floral character. The whisky also has a touch of vanilla, toffee, and oak, adding depth and sweetness to the fragrance. Hints of citrus peel and a subtle herbal bitterness round out the aromatic profile, giving a very intriguing and layered nose.
Taste: On the palate, the whisky is smooth and elegant, with a rich mouthfeel. There is an immediate burst of fruitiness, with dark cherries, plums, and a gentle note of apricot. The Vermouth cask influence shines through with herbal and spicy flavours, reminiscent of botanical notes like juniper, cinnamon, and a hint of thyme. The oak brings some vanilla and caramel sweetness, balancing out the herbal qualities and contributing to a complex, layered experience. The whisky has a mild bitterness from the Vermouth, but it is well integrated into the overall balance, contributing to a dry, yet fruity and spicy character.
Finish: The finish is medium-long, with the dark fruit and herbal notes lingering on the palate, along with a hint of oak and a subtle spicy warmth. The herbal and slightly bitter notes from the Vermouth cask finish leave a lasting impression, but the sweet vanilla and fruitiness provide a smooth and satisfying end.

Why It’s Special

Vermouth Cask Finish: The use of Vermouth casks is a bold and relatively rare choice for finishing whiskey, and it brings a distinct complexity to the Bushmills 2002. The botanical and herbal qualities of Vermouth add a new layer of depth to the whisky, enhancing its flavour profile and setting it apart from other Bushmills expressions.
Limited Edition: Like other releases in the Causeway Collection, the Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask is a limited edition, making it a rare find for collectors and whiskey enthusiasts alike. The unique cask finish makes it a true one-of-a-kind expression in the distillery’s portfolio.
Maturation: The 20+ years of maturation in bourbon barrels before being finished in Vermouth casks ensures that the whisky has developed both richness and complexity, while the Vermouth cask finish adds a distinct, nuanced element to the flavour.

In stock

Description

Cigar Pairing for Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask

The Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask is a complex, herbaceous, and fruit-forward whisky with spicy, botanical, and slightly bitter notes from the Vermouth cask finish. When selecting a cigar to pair with this whisky, you’ll want to complement its fruitiness, herbal notes, and rich sweetness while considering the slight bitterness and spiciness in the whisky. Here are a few cigar pairings that would work well:

Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro
- Flavour Profile: Full-bodied with dark chocolate, coffee, and spicy notes, along with a touch of sweetness.
- Why It Works: The Padron 1964 Maduro offers a full-bodied profile with chocolate and spicy notes that work well with the fruitiness and herbal spice in the Bushmills Vermouth Cask. The dark chocolate and coffee flavours balance the botanical qualities of the whisky, and the richness of the cigar complements the oak and spices.
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story
- Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied with spicy, nutty, and cedar notes, along with a hint of sweetness and creaminess.
- Why It Works: The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story brings a creamy and spicy profile that pairs beautifully with the herbal and spicy notes from the Vermouth cask finish. Its nutty and cedar notes harmonise with the whisky’s oak and botanical qualities.
Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour
- Flavour Profile: Full-bodied with spices, dark chocolate, and coffee notes.
- Why It Works: The Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour has a rich, spicy profile with a touch of dark chocolate, which complements the fruitiness and herbal elements of the Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask. The spicy warmth of the cigar enhances the whisky’s complexity, creating a perfect pairing.
Oliva Serie V Melanio
- Flavour Profile: Medium to full-bodied with dark chocolate, coffee, and spicy notes.
- Why It Works: The Oliva Serie V Melanio offers a complex blend of spices, dark chocolate, and coffee, which pairs well with the spices and botanical flavours of the Vermouth cask finish. The earthy and spicy elements of the cigar complement the oak and herbal bitterness in the whisky.
Romeo y Julieta Reserva 1875 Churchill
- Flavour Profile: Medium-bodied with spicy, nutty, and cedar notes, and a touch of sweetness.
- Why It Works: The Romeo y Julieta Reserva 1875 Churchill has a smooth, nutty profile that pairs well with the fruity and oak notes in the whisky. The cedar and spicy elements of the cigar balance the herbal notes in the whisky, creating a complementary pairing.

Pairing Tips

Herbal Cigars: The Vermouth cask finish brings herbal, botanical qualities to the whisky, so look for cigars with cedar, spice, or earthy profiles to complement those notes.
Full-Bodied Cigars: Given the richness of the whisky and the Vermouth cask influence, a full-bodied cigar will help balance the whisky’s complexity while enhancing its spicy and fruity characteristics.
Smoothness and Spice: Consider pairing with a cigar that has a smooth yet spicy profile to complement the whisky’s sweetness and herbal qualities, creating a satisfying contrast.

This Bushmills 2002 Vermouth Cask is a truly unique and complex whisky that deserves a cigar pairing that matches its depth and nuance.