Review

Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box Art & Decadence
Blended Scotch Whisky

49% ABV
$200
Website
Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky

What the Blender Says

Limited Edition
What Does Decadence ‘Mean’ to You?
Oscar Wilde wrote that “we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities”. The age in question was the late nineteenth century, when the Aesthetic Movement gave rise to the Decadent Movement, where more was always more. Art was made for the sake of art; there were no ulterior motives. Similarly, a whisky like Art & Decadence may not be strictly a necessity – and that is the whole, glorious point.

FLAVOUR PROFILE
Rich and aromatic on the nose with red apples, waxed wood and wine notes. Creamy, with a liquorice aroma. Banana, toffee and custard blended with Sauternes. On the palate, notes of dried fruit – golden raisin, apricot, apple and plenty of vanilla. Lingering flavours of dark chocolate and fragrant oak.

SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
Dinner’s final course – when the puddings, cakes, tarts, jellies, chocolates and cheeses emerge – is typically the moment for true decadence. This whisky compliments this very important juncture in the meal.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Natural colour
Light 10 micron filter, not chill-filtered
A limited edition of 9,496
November 2023

LEAD WHISKYMAKER: James Saxon.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, honey, fresh baked vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting, banana and apples.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with peaches and cream, pears, apples, apricots, vanilla, honey and slowly building oak spices.
Finish: Long and bright with tropical fruit notes, oak and a bit of spice.
Comments: Very nice! Fruity but with some savory spice notes to balance it all out. A few drops of water brings the fruit a tad towards citrus (maybe tangerines) but this drinks delightfully neat.

Rating: Must Try

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Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year-Old Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Lagavulin Offerman Edition 11 Year-Old Caribbean Rum Cask Finish
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$90-$100
Website
Lagavulin 11 year old Offerman edition Caribbean rum cask Islay single malt scotch whisky

What the Distiller Says

Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish is a limited-edition offering created by Lagavulin Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky in partnership with long-time partner Nick Offerman. The 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky was finished for a little over 8 months in casks that previously held Caribbean Rum, infusing a symphony of sweet smoke that marries the notes of the tropics with the peaty elixir of Islay.

TASTING NOTES – With notes of lemon meringue, honey, vanilla, toffee, golden cinnamon and a maritime brine, Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Caribbean Rum Cask Finish perfectly balances tropical flavor and peaty character.

“I have travelled the world and sampled many attempts at pleasing nectars, but it is solely this distillation of Islay; a tiny, charismatic Scottish island, that has claimed my palate. Yea, and my heart into the bargain.” — Nick Offerman

What Gary Says

Nose: Smoked fish, iodine, campfire, molasses, nylon rope and a hint of coconut.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with honey, vanilla, earthy, dried coconut, papaya and smoky cotton candy.
Finish: Moderate in length with honey, rum and peat smoke.
Comments: Nice – the rum influence is clear on the palate and finish. The lovely Lagavulin core is unmistakeable here. I’ve enjoyed every one of the Offerman editions I’ve tried to date, although I preferred the others more (the Guinness Cask Finish has been my favorite), but I don’t think fans of this line or Lagavulin will be disappointed.

Rating: Stands Out

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The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

The Balvenie 18 Years Pedro Ximénez Cask
Travel Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whisky

48.7% ABV
$250
Website
The Balvenie 18 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish Travel Retail Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distiller Says

The Balvenie Pedro Ximénez Cask whisky is a lively and summery single malt finished in casks which previously held Pedro Ximénez sherry.

Sherry is a popular cask type in Scotch Whisky, and this is the second sherry finished expression in The Balvenie range of finishes.

The first and second cask

First cask: American Oak
Maturation in traditional American Oak whisky barrels mellows the maturing spirit and imparts warming layers of honey and vanilla.

Second cask: PX Butts
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez butts, creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

A sweet climate
Pedro Ximénez is a white Spanish wine grape variety grown in several Spanish wine regions. The heat of the sun ripening the vines leads to a wine of intense, dessert-like sweetness.

The result
Finishing in Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts creates a fusion of sweet lavender, mandarin, fig and subtle clove.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Creamy, dark fruits including raisins, currants, dates, figs and spiced, stewed plums; hint of sulfur, smoke and a vegetal note.
Palate:  Fruity with raisins, dates, blood orange, toffee and chili spice.
Finish:  Long and slightly drying with smoke, fruit and pepper spice.
Comments:  Really interesting dram. It isn’t smokey per say, but the nose has more sulfur than I expected (not a lot, but wasn’t expecting any). While not hot at 48.7%, I preferred this with a few drops of water, which thickened the mouthfeel nicely and tamps some of the spice notes a bit.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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High West The Prisoner’s Share

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

High West The Prisoner’s Share
Blend of Straight Whiskeys finished in The Prisoner Red Blend wine barrels

51% ABV
$175
Website
High West The Prisoner's Share
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Since originally launching in 2022, The Prisoner’s Share has become a prime example of the magic that happens when a whiskey is finished in a red wine barrel. This year’s iteration of The Prisoner’s Share boasts an exquisite palate of Montmorency cherries, raspberry preserves on brioche toast, cacao nibs, brown butter caramel, roasted chestnuts, bergamot tea, and seasoned French Oak. As a premier sipping whiskey, this year’s version of The Prisoner’s Share is one of High West’s favorite limited edition whiskeys.

Sensory Notes
Nose: Pomegranate kernels, cranberry biscotti, pecan brittle, orange zest, cinnamon bark, light roast espresso, tanned leather from a cedar closet
Taste: Montmorency cherries, raspberry preserves on brioche toast, cacao nibs, brown butter caramel, roasted chestnuts, bergamot tea, and seasoned French Oak
Finish: Black currant jam with a subtle rye spice

Mash Bill
75 % corn, 21% rye, 4& malted barley (MGP)
60% corn, 40% rye (BBC)
78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley (Kentucky)
95% rye, 5% malted barley (MGP)
80% rye, 20% malted rye (High West own make)
Age Length: 4-12 years

What Gary Says

Nose: Cranberries, orange zest, cherries, toffee, oak, raw honey, cinnamon and dry red wine.
Palate: Sour cherries, cranberries, cocoa, honey, walnuts, cinnamon and black pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with cherries, cinnamon and pepper spice.
Comments: A very nice dram that is quite dark in the glass, with a red hue evident from the finishing. The Prisoner Red Blend wine barrel finishing is quite prominent and pronounced, which if you are a fan of the wine is likely a plus. If you’re not into wine, you may find this finishing is a tad heavy and can mask the underlying spirits. I’m not a huge wine fan personally, but I found the distinctive flavors unique and interesting, and really enjoyed this in an Old Fashioned (and I haven’t tried it yet in a traditional rye cocktail like a Manhattan, but imagine it would do well!)

Rating: Stands Out

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Foursquare Exceptional Cask 2009 Aged Rum

/ / Other Spirits, Review / ,

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XVII
2009 Single Blended Rum

60%
$95
Website
Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection XVII 2009 2009 12yr 60%

What the Producer/Retailer Says

Foursquare Rum Distillery is located on a former sugar plantation that dates back to approximately 1720, within the tiny Caribbean island of Barbados. The distillery was re-opened by the Seale family in 1996, distilling operations and blending are currently directed by Richard Seale, 4th Generation Trader/Distiller of R.L. Seale & Co.

Exceptional Cask Selections represent the unique, and rare offerings of Foursquare Rum Distillery that Richard has hand selected – his personal projects only released when he feels they are of exceptional quality. These are one of a kind expressions, available only for a limited time, and showcasing truly unique approaches to both Rum blending and maturation.

Barbados- Mark XVII from Foursquare Rum Distillery. A single blended rum, aged for 12-years in Ex-Bourbon casks. No color, sugar, additives, or filtration. Rich and assertive character with notes of dark cherries, cranberry, orange peel, caramelized pineapple, and dried peach.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Coconut, almonds, confectionary cotton candy, mango, dried fruit, vanilla, cocoa and floral.
Palate:  Warm and sweet, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon pastry, bit of ginger ale and sour fruit notes.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with vanilla.
Comments: This nose is just amazing; so different from anything I’ve nosed (my brain immediately thought “OMG – this is Almond Joy in a glass!”) The palate is very nice, but this is one of those pours where I enjoyed the nosing more than the tasting – although the tasting ain’t bad either.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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