Compass Box Whisky is known for producing innovative and high-quality blends that challenge traditional perceptions of whisky. During a recent tasting event that our whisky expert Chris Walster attended, hosted by Brand Ambassador Richard Stephenson, we explored seven extraordinary whiskies from Compass Box, including six from their core range and a special limited edition called Duality. Attendees were also treated to a bonus dram of Peat Monster Arcana, generously shared by a raffle winner. The evening was a testament to the brand’s commitment to transparency and craftsmanship.
A Blend of Innovation and Tradition in this Whisky Tasting
Compass Box is celebrated for its open approach to whisky-making. Unlike many producers, they openly share the composition of their whiskies, offering detailed insights into the casks, distilleries, and maturation processes behind each bottle. Their website provides valuable resources, including beer and food pairing suggestions for each whisky—though not sampled during the tasting, they sounded perfect.
All of the whiskies are blends, demonstrating that blended whisky can hold its own against single malts in terms of quality and complexity. In fact, Compass Box encourages whisky enthusiasts to explore their blends as an introduction to different distillery styles, whether peaty, fruity, or sherried, without masking each distillery’s distinct character. This makes their whiskies an excellent gateway to understanding various single malts while enjoying a premium blended whisky experience.
The Core Range and Limited Edition Highlights seen in this Whisky Tasting
Here’s a closer look at the whiskies that were tasted, each bringing its own unique characteristics to the table:
1. Hedonism (43% ABV) – £70
The first blend produced by Compass Box in 2000, Hedonism is a blended grain whisky with components up to 24 years old. Its sweet and approachable character makes it an ideal starter whisky, perfect for cleansing the palate.
- Nose: Fruit salad, caramel, coconut
- Palate: Sweet vanilla, pastry, and coconut
- Finish: Long, rounded spices
- Pairing: Vanilla ice cream or dark chocolate
- Score: 4.2/5
2. Artist Blend
This whisky reflects the artistry of Edinburgh, with a blend of 52-55% malt from distilleries like Clynelish and Linkwood, balanced by grain from Cameronbridge.
- Nose: Dried red fruits
- Palate: Biscuits, apple, herbal notes
- Finish: Long, with spice and biscuits
- Pairing: Pale ale or a Highball cocktail
- Score: 3.9/5
3. Orchard House (46% ABV) – £42
A fruit-forward blend of eight barrels from six distilleries, Orchard House bursts with vibrant orchard fruits.
- Nose: Green apples
- Palate: Apples, pears, with a hint of lime
- Finish: Medium length with apple, wood, and a touch of peat
- Pairing: Cheese
- Score: 4/5
4. The Spaniard
A richly sherried blend, The Spaniard is a complex whisky featuring dark fruits and a velvety texture, perfect for fans of sherry cask maturation.
- Nose: Dried fruits and sherry notes
- Palate: Dark fruits, vanilla, and mild liquorice
- Finish: Long and luxurious
- Pairing: Spanish charcuterie and cheese
- Score: 4.2/5
5. The Spice Tree (46% ABV) – £50
A warming, spicy blend crafted from toasted casks, The Spice Tree is ideal for the holiday season or as a companion to gingerbread and Christmas cake.
- Nose: Ginger, nutmeg, spices
- Palate: Rich ginger, nutmeg, and wood spices
- Finish: Long and spicy
- Pairing: Spicy cakes or ginger beer with lime
- Score: 4.2/5
6. The Peat Monster (46% ABV) – £49
This peated blend strikes a balance between smoky and creamy flavours. Its elegant peatiness makes it approachable for those new to peated whisky.
- Nose: Peat
- Palate: Smoke, peat, creaminess, and fruit
- Finish: Sweet peat
- Pairing: Oysters or blue cheese
- Score: 4.2/5
7. Duality (52% ABV) – £180 (1 of 1050 Bottles)
A rare and exceptional collaboration between Compass Box and Bimber Distillery, this limited edition combines the richness of 19-year-old Ardbeg with the youthful vibrancy of 3-year-old Bimber whisky.
- Nose: Caramel, wood, and leather
- Palate: Peat, caramel, raisins, and honey
- Finish: Long, evolving flavours
- Pairing: Milk Stout
- Score: 4.8/5
The tasting reinforced the value and versatility of blended whiskies. Compass Box blends showcase the artistry and innovation behind each bottle, offering exceptional quality and transparency. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky drinker or new to the world of whisky, their range provides something for everyone. The core range and special editions highlight why blended whisky should be celebrated and enjoyed, not overlooked.To learn more about these whiskies or to download detailed tasting notes, visit Compass Box Whisky.
