Mortlach 12YO

Dubbed ‘The Wee Witchie’, the 12-year-old is an ode to one of the array of six uniquely and oddly shaped stills at Mortlach where the spirit is distilled 2.81 times in a complicated process referred to as ‘The Way’. But we don’t need to go into any confusing details like that to simply enjoy this meaty, full-bodied malt.

This 12-year-old Speyside single malt comes from the new Mortlach range, launched in 2018. Known as ‘the Beast of Dufftown’, Mortlach is distilled 2.81 times in a complicated process referred to simply as ‘The Way’. This single malt, dubbed ‘The Wee Witchie’, is matured in American and European oak ex-bourbon and sherry casks before being bottled at 43.4% abv.

Meaty and sulphurous, this expression showcases the raw character of the distillery.

Mortlach 12YO £44.94 →

Scotch in China: positioned for premiumisation

Greater China has the largest and fastest-growing super premium and above spirits segment in the world¹ – and our portfolio of super premium and luxury Scotch whiskies is helping us meet Chinese consumers’ desire to ‘drink better, not more’.²

Our super premium and luxury Scotch portfolio includes Johnnie Walker, which is Greater China’s biggest Scotch brand by volume and retail sales value.³ It also includes fast-growing brands such as Mortlach and Talisker, and The Singleton, which is Greater China’s largest single malt brand by volume.⁴ The growth of Johnnie Walker Blue Label over the last four years shows how we are harnessing the trend of premiumisation through the combination of an outstanding liquid, powerful brand building and innovation driven by insights into local culture.

This year, the brand launched a series of eye-catching innovations, including the Forbidden City Edition and a limited edition Chinese New Year bottle celebrating the Year of the Ox – both of which sold out quickly. These innovations combine Chinese consumers’ deep pride in their culture with their demand for unique products that suit gifting and business entertainment occasions. They also trigger a desire to explore and learn about Scotch whisky. We are helping to grow that consumer interest, working with key customers and consumers on product education and mentoring events. For example, we have held 13 Whisky Summits across China and reached over 15,000 people through our Diageo Whisky Academy since 2017.

^{1, 2, 3, 4.} IWSR, 2020

Glengoyne Summer Sippers

There is a common perception that whisky is not a summer drink and should only be enjoyed on a winter evening beside a roaring log fire. However, for our friends who live in hot climates like Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, and even when the sun shines in Scotland might disagree.

Glengoyne’s Whisky Experiential Ambassador, Gordon Dallas, has always enjoyed a summer evening dram, be it from the balcony of his holiday hotel room or his garden. Gordon’s latest blog, “Glengoyne Summer Sippers”, has put together some recommendations for you to enjoy.

Read more

Ardber Supernova 2019 Committee Release

Matured in ex-bouron casks SN2019

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£550.00

Ardbeg Supernova Committee SN2019 Release Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in matured in ex-bourbon casks this is the 2019 limited edition Committee Release. Enter into the realms of sweet treacle toffee, aniseed, eucalyptus and intense oak bonfires.

Ardbeg Distillery was established in Ardbeg on the Kildalton Peninsular on the Isle of Islay in 1815 by John McDougal. Ardbeg Distillery draws soft peaty water from Loch Uigeadail and Loch Airigh nam Beist up amongst the hills behind the distillery to produce it world renowned range including Ardbeg Uigeadail and Ardbeg 10 Year Old. Ardbeg Distillery is a participant in the world famous Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music. Visitors are welcome at the distillery visitor center which offers Ardbeg Distillery tours and serves delicious Scottish fare in the Ardbeg Old Kiln Café.

Our newest innovation is here.

Introducing the Virginia Vatting House!

Having an entire space dedicated to the vatting, blending and reduction of our aged whisky speaks to the ambitious scale of all that we hope to achieve here at Virginia Distillery Company.

The innovation of the building’s layout and its proximity to our bottling house represents a thoughtful design that will make life easier for our bottling team. We’re all excited to begin moving the tanks in, and even more thrilled to start filling those tanks up with our whisky.

We can ship our whisky right to your front door.

You probably already knew this, but it’s worth the reminder. Why wait until your next trip to your local bottle shop to stock up? Your very own bottle of Courage & Conviction is just a few clicks away. Use Code DRAM100 for free shipping over $100.

Order Your Whisky

We’re turning heads.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since Courage & Conviction was released. Since launching, it’s been an honor to receive some wonderful awards for our hard work and craftsmanship.

We’ve been keeping track of our awards and recognition for you over on our website. It’s worth a quick glance for our loyal supporters.

You’ve helped make this possible.
Thank you!

Learn More

Our two great whisky stills are kept busy making the foundation of our first single malt.

We’ve yet to set a release date for this historic island dram but behind the scenes work is well underway to bring this special whisky to the world.

A key part of our plans is the appointment of two new blenders from within the team here in Tarbert, chosen for their top-of-the-class tastebuds, awesome olfactory skills, and a dedication to capturing the best of our island in a bottle.

Head over to this week’s Journal to read the second part of Shona and Harry’s story and learn more about their work as we get closer to the day we can share ‘The Hearach’ with the world.

Have a great week from all the distillery team here in Tarbert!

Le dùrachdan,

Mike Donald
Isle of Harris Distillery Storyteller

LITTLEMILL DISTILLERY

30 Year Old 1988 Legends Collection

Littlemill 30 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask sherry butt bottled March 2019 Hart Brothers for the Legends Collection series. 100 numbered bottles. Sweet and slightly spicy on the palate. Smooth with a long lasting warming finish. Dark chocolate and treacle. Heather honey, vanilla, custard, banana and summer fruits. Tangerines with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Littlemill 30 Years

1988 Legend’s Collection. Single Sherry butt at cask strength 51.5% from the lost legend.

£1,800.00

Shop Littlemill 30 Years »

Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 to the west of Bowling by the north shore of the River Clyde and on the main road into Glasgow. Subsequent modifications during the 1930s resulted in a number of novel features including double ventilation towers which sat over a single drying kiln and pot stills with rectifiers rather than the traditional swan necks. The combination of pot and column stills in Littlemill Distillery was designed to produce malt whisky which was expected to mature quickly. When production ceased in 1992 Littlemill Distillery was the oldest working malt whisky distillery in Scotland. Closed in 194 and demolished in 2006 and now Littlemill is a lost Scottish distillery although the shell of the manager’s house remains.

Olympic gold medal drams from Japan!

If you’ve been catching up on all the Olympic action from Tokyo then you might be wondering what the perfect accompanying dram might be… well it has to be Japanese of course! We wanted to showcase the fantastic selection we stock from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Shop Japanese whisky →

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BBQ
THE COMPASS BOX WAY 

July has been a real treat as we’ve dug deep into the delights of BBQ with Pitt Cue Co. It’s been such a feast of flavour that we’d love you to take our ideas and celebrate with your own flame-grilled family get-together.

So we’ve curated a menu of our favourite Pitt Cue dishes and combined them with whisky cocktails to sip by the grill. Get ready to eat well and drink creatively!

PITT CUE’S HOT WINGS

When you commit to the pursuit of flavour, you make discoveries like this. Just the right level of heat, tempered nicely with cow’s curd and pickled celery. Smoked for 90 minutes. Flame-grilled for two more. Perfect. Discover the full recipe and more on our website.

PITT’S NO. 1 PEAT MONSTER
SUMMER CUP

This creation by Pitt Cue Co. founder Jamie Berger marries the peatiness of The Peat Monster with triple sec, red vermouth, bitters and ginger beer for a delicious summer serve. Prepare in batches, then enjoy in good company. Learn how to make it here.

Feeling inspired? Head to our website to shop
our whiskies.

Share & Enjoy!
The Compass Box Team

PS: We’ve expanded our palette of flavours to bring you something new. Click here to find out more about our latest limited edition coming very soon…

Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old 1975

Single PX sherry hogshead from the second release of the single cask series under the stewardship of Billy Walker back in 2015. 205 numbered bottles. Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old 1975 vintage batch 2 Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask Pedro Ximenez Sherry Hogshead #3171 bottled September 2015. 205 bottles. Nose: Cocoa dusted figs and dates combine with cinnamon and gentle white pepper to give a delicate warmth. Palate: Gentle waves of dark toffee flow over rich fruit cake and orange peel. An intriguing cigar box spice note on the delicately sherried palate.

Glenglassaugh Distillery is a Highland malt whisky distillery situated at Sandend Bay near Portsoy on the Banffshire coast with views north over the Moray Firth and the North Sea and is one of just a very few truly coastal Highland malt whisky distilleries. Glenglassaugh Distillery was established by James Moir and opened in 1875. This distillery was substantially re-built in 1959 and re-opened in 1960 only to close in 1986. However, Glenglassaugh was back in production in December 2008 and is now owned by Brown Forman of America.

Shop – Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old 1975