HOW WE DRINK

THE STORY OF THE SPANIARD

When we released The Story of the Spaniard a little over one year ago, we designed it to be charming and sumptuous. After two further batches, as well as plenty of casual sipping and experimentation, we have discovered it to be extraordinarily versatile too.

Built around four distinct styles of maturation (first fill red wine casks, Sherry butts, American oak barrels, and custom-made casks with heavily-toasted French oak heads), balancing the influence of each ensures that The Story of the Spaniard stands apart in the world of Scotch whisky.

Here are two of the numerous serves that we have discovered for The Story of the Spaniard.

MANIPULATE THOSE BOLD FLAVOURS

The Story of the Spaniard boasts flavours of spices, honey and dried fruits and will satisfy those searching for a classic digestif.

Playing with temperature alters the aroma and texture of the whisky: chilling it will emphasise the baking spice notes from the French oak, while warming the glass in your hand unleashes the jammy fruit character supplied by the red wine casks.

BRING OUT THE CHEESE

As we discovered during our 2019 Yearbook research, with the help of food writer Elisabeth Luard, The Story of the Spaniard excels as a cheeseboard accompaniment.

Match it with members of the Camembert family and prepare for pleasure. Our favourite is Tunworth, a British example of this mould-ripened cheese. Soft-centred, buttery and grassy, the textures and flavours of the cheese combine with the whisky to outstanding effect. The whisky’s mouthfeel is heightened, and sweeter notes emerge.

A WORD FROM OUR WHISKYMAKER

For John Glaser, The Story of the Spaniard represented a new challenge.

“Launching a widely-available whisky with prominent wine-style maturation was a significant departure for us; it needed to be both delicious and distinctive from sherried malt whiskies already available. We chanced upon an exceptional parcel of red wine-matured single malt whisky from the Teaninich Distillery and just had to create a whisky that could benefit from it.

“As we use the last of this parcel, we will look to discover more ways in which former wine casks can play a role for us at Compass Box for future batches of The Story of the Spaniard. Whiskies matured in them can prove extremely adaptable, with a boldness and deliciousness that wants to be shared.”

These are just two of our favourite ways to enjoy The Story of the Spaniard. You have our permission to invent your own.

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