Compass Box The Circle
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$140-$150
Website
What the Blender Says
Sunshine in a glass
Rosey Mitchell is the 2018 winner of The Circle, our programme designed to inspire bartenders around the world. Rosey’s prize? To create a blend with Compass Box founder John Glaser and whiskymaker Jill Boyd. Rosey wanted to make an approachable whisky to be shared with friends, something for the daytime, a whisky with brightness. She called it “sunshine in a glass.”
The Circle is based around a parcel of fruity and creamy single malt from the Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside. This is supported by malt whisky from the Clynelish Distillery. A touch of peated malt whisky from an Orkney distillery and a small proportion of a French oak-finished blended malt whisky complete the recipe.
We think we’ve achieved exactly what Rosey envisaged. The whisky is bright and warm with a creamy softness. It practically radiates sunlight!
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Bright, vibrant, creamy. Bursting with apple, vanilla and malty notes with a hint of smokiness on the finish.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS: In the sunshine with good friends.
TECHNICAL DETAILS: Bottled at 46% | Natural colour | Not chill filtered | A limited edition of 6,151 bottles | May 2019
LEAD WHISKYMAKERS: Rosey Mitchell and Jill Boyd
What Gary Says
Nose: Bright, green apples, vanilla cream, touch of citrus and a hint of oak.
Palate: Soft, supple and sweet with vanilla, apples, malt, bit of allspice and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with dried fruit and pepper.
Comments: Another delightful dram from Compass Box that is maybe too easy to drink. Very bright and fruity, and takes water quite well – with the mouthfeel shifting to creaminess. Nothing objectionable, but not as complex a pour as I’m accustomed to from Compass Box (at least at this price point). I blame them for spoiling me!