Compass Box Double Single (2017)

Compass Box one of the most original and innovative, and certainly one that creates awesome whisky (which is not easy to come by these days – #rant) has a new whisky out, and this is certainly something that makes me happy. You never know what John Glaser (whisky maker and whisky god ) has up his sleeve, and this time he’s prepared a new blended whisky for us. Yes, Blended whisky, you malt snobs, it has both single malt and single grain inside. So what’s so exciting / different this time you ask?

John has decided to create a blended whisky out of exactly two components : A single malt, and A single grain. As you know in most blended whiskies, there are 10’s of ingredients from all kinds of casks, distilleries (malt / grain), which are blended to create a harmonious whisky. John Glaser shows us it takes only two very good components, to create a cracking blend : A single malt whisky from the Glen Elgin distillery (aged 20 yo)  and single grain whisky from the Girvan distillery (aged 19 yo). If you look at the label, you notice there’s no age statement on it, and this is because of SWA regulations that do not allow for that level of transparency. However, if you go into the compass box site and request the information by email (by clicking a button), Compass Box are then able to send you a mail with the exact ages of the components, per your request. Silly i know, but the SWA are quite stubborn and they regulations are very rigid.

Let’s get tasting, shall we?

Compass Box The Double Single , 46% abv , £144 

Nose: Starting with lovely vanilla sweetness and crisp red apples . ripe pears, a gentle touch of oak, Apple vinegar and nuts. Not ultra complex, but crisp and sweet-ish and brilliant. 
Palate: Big viscous mouthfeel with luscious fruit mainly apple peel, cereal and some spicy pepper.A touch of Mint and wood spice, quite oily and rich. Can’t believe this is only 46% abv!  as it feels so full and “deep”.
Finish: chocolate fudge, vanilla and subtle oakiness. 
This might not be the most complex of whiskies, but it’s damn good. It’s quite rich, and harmonious, with the fruit and sweetness so well-integrated, the aromas and flavours are intense yet classy. You can not believe this is not a cask strength whisky, as flavours are so concentrated, and the oily mouthfeel is wonderfully chewy. It’s evident the two components are a perfect match, and indeed at 19 years of age both grain and malt are just at their prime. Again, great blending work by John Glaser.
Certainly a cracker, even though it may sound two simple-ish, a grain and a malt, easy… (well, not).

Score: 89/100

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