Compass Box Artist Blend - Blended Scotch Whiskey

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 43% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Artist Blend is Compass Box’s tribute to Edinburgh. Malt whisky makes up around 55% of the recipe, alongside grain whisky from the Scottish Lowlands. First released in 2011, the blend’s high malt content recalls older blending recipes. Its fruity, creamy character suits both sipping neat and serving in a highball.

The recipe draws mainly on whisky from first-fill bourbon casks, with smaller portions from a medium-toasted French oak cask and a butt previously seasoned with Palo Cortado sherry. Apple, salted caramel and baking spices shape the overall impression; vanilla and pastry notes complement its creamy texture. Compass Box bottles Artist Blend at 43%, with natural colour and without chill filtration.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, apple blossom and baked apple mingle with vanilla, pastry and raisins. Cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg and fresh citrus peel add to the aroma; a malty oat-biscuit note emerges later.
• Palate: The whisky feels soft and creamy on the palate. Malt, raisins and orange peel are followed by vanilla, brown sugar, apple and spices, with fine oak tannins providing a restrained contrast.
• Finish: In the lingering finish, sweet oat-biscuit notes alternate with apple, orange and raisins. A light sherry note accompanies the fruity, malty aftertaste.

Distillery/Bottler:

John Glaser founded Compass Box in 2000. The company does not distil the whiskies used in its blends. It works with stocks from Scottish distilleries, has whisky matured in Scotland and develops its compositions in its blending room in Richmond, near London. For Artist Blend, Compass Box combines malt whiskies from Linkwood, Clynelish and Balmenach, among others, with grain whisky from Cameronbridge. Glaser is the whiskymaker responsible for this bottling.

Facts: