Compass Box – This Is Not A Luxury Whisky – 53.1% abv

Info: Inspired by René Magritte’s famous 1929 painting The Treachery of Images. Lots of Glen Ord in it.
Colour: Orangey golden.
Nose: Instant hints of old oak and dunnagey warehouses all mixed with seville marmalade, berry notes and some spices.
Palate: Nice and thick oils which cover your mouth in spices which get to a level that they’re fun but not overpowering. It’s enjoyably approachable, even at cask strength. There’s a gorgeous gentle sweetness running through it, hints of toffee.
Finish: The finish shows the most layers to me, fresh, quality old casks, a cola cube, spices, tannins and oak. It’s long and massively enjoyable.
Thoughts: A quality whisky that’s full of levels to enjoy and explore, there’s some older malts in here; the oak is good, although I’m glad there’s no more than there is. As the name says… It’s certainly a luxury whisky!
Extra: Compass Box did a good thing and told everyone the exact makeup of the blend, only to be threatened with legal action because under SWA rules they’re actually not aloud to, which is slightly crazy, and therefore withdrew their information. So you didn’t hear it from me that it contains 79% 19yo Glen Ord (sherry butt), 10.1% 40yo Strathclyde (grain), 6.9% 40yo Girvan (grain), 4% 30yo Caol Ila.
Available: Master of Malt – £149.70

Thanks to Compass Box for the sample.