Compass Box Double Single is a blended Scotch whisky in the most basic of terms. It’s a combination of a single malt from the Glen Elgin distillery (72%) and a single grain whisky from the Girvan distillery (28%). As straightforward as you can get when making a blend.
Typically when blenders go about making their creations they’ll utilize dozens of whiskies from dozens of distilleries to achieve the aroma and flavor profiles they’re looking for. This is particularly true of the large-scale blends like Johnny Walker or Chivas who use a wide array of whisky to try and keep a similar experience for customers as stocks come and go. It’s an admirable feat to undertake, but I like Compass Box’s simple approach better.
Compass Box Double Single Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Compass Box’s Words: Compass Box Double Single
“For Double Single, instead of using many tens of component whiskies we have used just two – one single grain whisky and one single malt whisky (hence the name). Both are beautiful liquids in their own right but we believe they are elevated above the sum of their parts when combined in the correct proportions.”
Compass Box Double Single price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Scotland
Blender: Compass Box
Blend: 72% Glen Elgin (malt), 28% Girvan (grain)
Cask: re-charred ex-Bourbon Hogshead (Glen Elgin), re-charred ex-Bourbon Barrel (Girvan)
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $160
Compass Box Double Single Tasting Notes
EYE
Gold
NOSE
Apples, pears, honey, malt, apricots, brulee, Smarties, yellow raisins and a light floral character.
PALATE
Heavy malt, honey, wax, orchard fruit, toffee, spice and yellow raisins with a light bit of white chocolate and a touch floral.
FINISH
Med-long -> Yellow raisins, white chocolate and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, med-full body and a light oily feel
Compass Box Double Single Review: OVERALL
Compass Box Double Single is a rich, complex and fruity whisky that delivers from nose to finish. The overall essence is that of a well-aged Clynelish but with a bit less wax and more complex fruit. The aroma especially is a rich bouquet of fruit notes. The palate is a bit less fruity, but brings more balance to the dram with the darker maltier notes. The finish is a nice elegant fade that drawls out with a soft spice.
All-in-all this is a wonderful whisky and I’m a bit sad this sample is all I have of it. For an un-peated, un-sherried, un-finished whisky it carries an incredible complexity and that’s not easy to do. Well done Compass Box.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)
Big thanks to TWJ reader Ross for the sample!
Compass Box Double Single Review
- Nose - 88
- Palate - 89
- Finish - 88
- Balance, Body & Feel - 89
Compass Box Double Single Review Summary
Compass Box Double Single is a great whisky and should you get the opportunity to try it leap on it!
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