Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary vs Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th AnniversaryBushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection
DistilleryLagavulinBushmills
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV57.7%48.2%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£299£299
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection

Smoke0/100
Sweetness69/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection is better value at £299 vs £299.

For beginners: Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Lagavulin?

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.

Who should buy Bushmills?

Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

SmokeyMedicinalOilyLeathery

Only Bushmills 2002 (bottled 2022) Vermouth Cask Finish - The Causeway Collection

HoneyVanillaSherriedFresh FruitCitric

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