Compass Box, Great King Street Glasgow Blend

I waxed lyrical about Compass Box and John Glaser in this morning's Artist Blend review so let me just say I was very excited to see Glasgow Blend follow Artist's Blend in the Great King Street line. Having frequented Glasgow plenty in my youth and early college days I always thoroughly enjoyed the Wellington statue with the traffic cone on his head (out front of the Gallery of Modern Art -- well worth a visit in it's own right and completely free). Now I live in Virginia and having a wee bit of Glasgow on my shelf is quite lovely.

Great King St Glasgow Blend is one third grain whisky and two thirds malt whisky. The malt whisky components hail from the Highlands, Speyside, and Islay (I was reliably informed that this is Laphroaig and comprises 20-30% of all the liquid in the bottle). Maturation comes from first fill bourbon and sherry casks with additional refill bourbon casks and a bit of french oak finishing (just like Artist's Blend).

Compass Box, Great King Street Glasgow Blend, 43% alc., £30/$45

C: Pale gold

N: Oh, yes, that's the stuff! Delightfully peaty at first whiff with a very quiet fruitiness around the edges, hints of vanilla and white pepper, too

P: Peat forward on the tongue with decent texture for a lower strength whisky, warm salted cashews and poached pears come through after the peat softens

F: Moderate length with lingering peat, ground grey pepper and oak

In conclusion: Come for the peat, stay for the peat, get the fire crackling next to you and really enjoy that peat. Oh, and be sure to include Nick Offerman in the fun.

Compass Box, Great King Street Artist's Blend

I've long been a fan of both John Glaser and Compass Box. They make smart decisions, blend wonderful whiskies, and tell interesting stories. And they get right up the nose of the Scotch Whisky Association. What's not to love?

This first release in Compass Box's Great King Street line (there's now a Glasgow Blend) is intended for both whisky connoisseurs and those who may be dipping their toe in the whisky loch for the very first time. The blend is comprised of Lowland, Northern Highland, and Speyside whiskies with a combination of first fill bourbon and sherry maturation with some new French oak finishing. Full details can be found here.

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Behind window #3: Compass Box, Great King Street Artist's Blend, 43% alc., £28/$42

C: Reflective straw

N: Light and fresh (pears, green apples, vanilla) with a cereal thread running through it

P: More cereal up front with a subtle nutty component (ground cashews), then a little spice on the back (nutmeg)

F: Moderate and sweet, lingering pears and apples, then a ground pepper spiciness begins to creep in

In conclusion: Such a delightful wee dram. Artfully crafted, this is a perfect intro whisky for those who claim to not like the stuff. It's an ideal breakfast whisky, too (if you're into that kind of thing).

Sincere thanks to Master of Malt's Drinks by the Dram for the sample.