Bushmills The Causeway Collection 2002 Vermouth Finish

Distilled on 11 June 2002 and bottled on 30 June 2022, this 20 year old single malt from Bushmills forms part of The Causeway Collection and was released exclusively for the Irish market. After long maturation in Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon barrels, the whiskey underwent a finishing period in vermouth wine casks before being bottled at 48.2 % ABV without chill filtration. Vermouth is a fortified, botanically infused wine traditionally from Italy and France, and its influence in wood brings a distinctive profile to this release.

Vermouth seasoning leaves behind a complex mix of herbal botanicals, bright citrus peel, gentle spice and subtle bitter elements in the oak. As the spirit rests in these casks, those components dissolve into the whiskey, adding layers of floral and aromatic complexity alongside fruit notes such as raspberry, cherry and honeysuckle. Walnut and herbal notes weave through the profile, extending the classic Bushmills character into a broader flavour range.

On the nose, expect a mix of floral aromatics, orange peel and raspberry framed by seasoned oak. The palate delivers fruitcake sweetness, mandarin zest, light spice and herbal complexity with a gentle drying herbal edge. The finish is medium-long with persistent citrus, spice and a hint of bitter herbal lift that carries through steadily. This vermouth cask finish frames the underlying spirit with distinctive botanical and fruit elements, creating a nuanced Causeway expression with presence and clarity.