Compass Box may well win awards for this blended malt, but should get one for the most creative name of 2015. While the Scotch Whisky Association has forced Compass Box to remove this description of the whiskies that went into this bottling, we present the details here: a “19 year old malt whisky distilled at the Glen Ord distillery was blended with two separate parcels of 40 year old grain distilled at Girvan and Strathclyde as well as a portion of 30 year-old Caol Ila.” This violates regulations that dictate only the youngest whisky that went into a blend may be described on the label. 

The nose is sweet with maple, honey, and brown sugar notes, touches of oak and nuttiness, and subtle fruits. The taste is spicy with black pepper and chili powder notes that don’t overpower the sweeter touches of maple, honey, dried fruits, and figs underneath. The finish is dry and lingering with spicy touches and excellent balance. (October, 2015)