First and second-fill bourbon casks and first-fill sherry casks were selected for the blend. Matured in French oak barrels. The label is inspired by the famous Wellington statue in front of Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art. A real curiosity, it is regularly topped with a traffic cone or unusual objects by the locals, embodying the sense of humor of the town’s inhabitants.
Made from a blend of 33% single grain distilled in Fife (Lowlands) and 67% single malts from Islay (20%), the Highlands (14%) and Speyside (33%), Glasgow Blend bears the unmistakable Compass Box hallmark.
Tasting note
Nose
Malty bitterness, fine ashy smoke and licorice peat: that’s what the first nose reveals. Citrus (lemon, grapefruit), juniper berries and cloves follow. The whole is fresh and lively, yet heady (broom, mimosa).
Palate
Its minty attack relegated peat and smoke to the background. Licorice, chocolate and candied fruits (apricot, walnut) gradually come in between. The sherry has left its mark on the palate. Unctuous, it evolves on Bourbon vanilla and acacia honey.
Overall
The sherry coats the palate with creamy notes (Liège coffee). Finely herbaceous, slightly saline peat gives it great depth of field, while stewed fruit and citrus come to the surface. Retro-olfaction is spicy (saffron, star anise) and the empty glass is earthy (gentian root).
