Compass Box Magic Cask
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$175-$185
Website
What the Blender Says
A precocious whisky from a magic cask.
When we began a maturation trial in 2016, we hadn’t expected the whiskies to develop such deliciousness in so short a period of time. One-year-old malt spirit, made at a Speyside distillery famous for the robust character of its whiskies, was re-racked into first fill Oloroso-seasoned butts. Sampling them three years later, one particular cask – #2 – proved so compelling that we began to experiment.
A parcel of first fill Bourbon barrels containing whisky from the now closed Imperial Distillery had sat in our sample library for some years. Though delicious in its own right, as whiskymakers we couldn’t hit on the ideal match. The much younger malt whisky from the Oloroso-seasoned cask proved the ideal means to deepen the fruity and creamy profile of this rare parcel.
Magic Cask is perfect for those who appreciate lush fruitiness and fullness of body in their malt whiskies. Pour Magic Cask after dinner and savour its medley of autumn fruits and dark chocolate.
The ten Oloroso butts from which the “magic cask” emerged were sourced from Bodega José y Miguel Martín (J&MM). We requested a grade of American oak that would deliver moderate tannin and – for this parcel – a gentle seasoning process with Oloroso wine. Masters of their art, J&MM could dial up just the right levels of sweetness, tartness and spiciness, ensuring that cask #2 in particular delivered everything we desired from a Sherry cask.
TECHNICAL DETAILS: Natural colour | Not chill-filtered | Bottled March 2020 | A limited edition of 5,538 bottles
LEAD WHISKYMAKERS: John Glaser and James Saxon.
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Aromas of marmalade and chai tea spices, with hints of plum. Ripe, golden dessert apples dominate the luscious palate, supported by an oaky richness. Flavours of toffee and cocoa powder are also conjured up.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rich, bright fruit notes of apple and kiwi, orange marmalade, honey, vanilla, a note of cedar.
Palate: Rich and creamy with apples, pears, peaches, toasted oak, milk chocolate, hint of raisins, toffee and light caramel.
Finish: Moderately long, damp with apples, honey and toffee.
Comments: Classic Compass Box. Elegant, rich and well balanced. When I first tried, I thought it was a bit light but it unveiled more nuance in each subsequent sitting. I’m unfamiliar with the now closed Imperial distillery’s single malt, but this is fairly nuanced and gentle. A bit of water (not too much) coaxes out the fruit and caramel notes, as well as letting sit in the glass. I’m pretty impatient, so I hate to admit that letting a pour like this sit for 10-15 minutes BEFORE nosing it makes a difference – but it does.