A Brilliant Blended Scotch from a True Innovator
Compass Box “Orchard House” Blended Scotch Malt Whisky (750ml) ($49.99)
“Orchard House delivers the goods … It’s a masterpiece at a bargain price and fully deserving of a prominent spot in the core lineup of Compass Box.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Since it burst onto the scene twenty years ago, John Glaser’s Compass Box has come to redefine the Scotch business. Emerging at a time when single malts reigned supreme, Glaser took a gamble that the right Scotches, well-chosen and carefully blended, could find a broad and captive audience. Glaser, as it turns out, was right on the money, as Compass Box is among the most sought-after and celebrated brands in the world of whisky. The Orchard House is a new entry in the permanent range, and it’s made big waves since its debut. The value on offer here is simply second to none. Andrew Whiteley describes it as “a blended malt that highlights all of the beautiful ripe fruits in the pantheon of Scotch flavors … a full and complete whisky.” Expertly aged in Oloroso butts, this dram boasts a kaleidoscope of opulent complexity that could easily command twice the sub-$50 price. As it stands, Orchard House is one of the biggest bangs for the buck in our entire spirits inventory, a not-to-be-missed specimen for collectors and fans of all stripes.

Compass Box “Orchard House” Blended Scotch Malt Whisky (750ml) ($49.99)

K&L Notes:Few things in the whiskey world are as exciting as a new addition to the Compass Box core lineup. Known for phenomenal and creative blends and exceptional value, the Compass box team has knocked it out of the park with Orchard House. This essentially replaces the old Oak Cross that was discontinued several years ago, but it’s really a completely different whisky all together. It’s 100% malt whisky selected from distilleries known for their fruitiness. Lively and fragrant with a gentle oak influence, Orchard House was greatly influence by the late Dr. Jim Swan. His research inspired CB to fill their barrels at 58% ABV instead of the nearly ubiquitous 63.5% ABV in Scotland. This lower proof filling extracts more sugar from the wood than the higher proof fill. It also allows for less dilution of the aged spirit when bottling below cask strength. Two-thirds of the Orchard House blend is derived from these 58%-fill casks, adding more creamy vanilla, sweet citrus, and stone fruit components. Orchard House also features the effects of a changing barrel market. These are sort of like 1.5-fill barrels. It is now standard practice in the bourbon world to rinse down freshly emptied barrels with water. This allows for the maximum alcohol yield before final blending and bottling. It also takes a bit of the rougher edge off the oak for Scotch maturation. This change in practice has led to a serendipitous, gentler aging of Orchard House that really allows the CB team’s expertise to shine.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 21, 2021

Compass Box strikes again. It was a devastating loss when Oak Cross was cut from their core lineup, but the gaping hole that was left behind has finally been filled. Orchard House delivers the goods—a bushel full of them. This whisky has been purpose-driven since being laid down in barrel to showcase the incredible fruit profile of the distillery components. It’s a blended malt that highlights all of the beautiful ripe fruits in the pantheon of Scotch flavors. Its branches sit heavy with apples of every shade, stone fruit from succulent apricots and peaches to candied nectarines. Ripe pear abounds. It’s truly incredible. All that fruit, however, is still grounded by a full and complete whisky. This is where Compass Box really shines. Their mission is to build a whisky that is more than the sum of its parts. In a classic 1+1=3 magic trick, they’ve paired all that fruit with ex-Oloroso sherry butts and their custom French oak barrels for a robust palate with more than a sprinkle of spice. Cinnamon and nutmeg, a touch of ground black pepper, rancio complexity in just enough force to be the perfect touch, like that extra pinch of salt from a chef. Vanilla and honey pair perfectly with the malty goodness that is, of course, the foundation for any Scotch. It’s a masterpiece at a bargain price and fully deserving of a prominent spot in the core lineup of Compass Box.

Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 06, 2021

Such a beautiful and inviting Scotch! As soon as you pour a dram of this, you can tell that you’re in the company of a friend. True to its name, Compass Box’s new blended malt, Orchard House, is redolent of multiple orchard fruit aromas. Apple, pear, peach, and cherry step to the front of the line. When nosing this, from time to time it almost smells like Calvados, though never fully giving up its base cereal notes. Whipped buttercream floats through, cut by just enough spice (one of the contributions of Clynelish in the blend, I’m guessing). The palate keeps playing with the fruit and ups the ante with a bright citrus pop, though they are certainly grounded by earthy and leathery flavors providing excellent balance. I hear that Orchard House will be replacing Oak Cross in Compass Box’s core lineup, so while I was sad to see Oak Cross go, I’m pleased that it’s being replaced by this absolute stunner of a blended malt.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 02, 2021

I would have bought this whisky at double the price. This offering from Compass Box is one of my biggest surprises of 2021—so much gentle fruit, deftly balanced with concentrated, natural malt and subtle rancio complexity. This is so much better than most single malt at the price and my favorite new release in many years. This is seamless and involved stuff!