THE ANATOMY OF A HIGHBALL

As warmer months beckon, the highball is one of the easiest and most refreshing serves to reach for, day or night.

The highball is a simple cocktail consisting of a spirit and a mixer served in a tall, ice-filled glass. While not solely whisky-based, highballs are most commonly made with whisky, excelling at making the spirit even more approachable across a wider range of occasions and times of day.

So why do one? What makes a good one? How can you make our favourite one? We’re handing the reins over to our Whiskymaker (and award-winning bartender) Michael for all the answers…

WHY DO A HIGHBALL?

When we create a highball at Compass Box, it’s less about rules and more about flavour. Essentially we’re setting out to either lengthen the whisky, subtly soften its intensity, or complement its profile. A mixer can highlight what’s already happening in the whisky, or coax out nuances that might not be apparent when you drink it neat.

The choice of highball mixer opens up endless possibilities. Really great quality water adds texture; soda or sparkling water brings effervescence and sometimes salinity and mineral components; green tea delivers freshness and tannins; and coconut water gives you sweetness, particularly with a smoky peated whisky.

Like chef James Sharp talked about recently with food and drink pairings, both the whisky and the mixer need to bring something to the table. You might soften the whisky to create space for the flavours, or try to contrast and evolve its profile with shared compounds, aromatics or fruits. Ginger, for example, does this well as it’s a real enhancer, especially for warming, spicy notes.

THE ORCHARD HOUSE HIGHBALL 

For me, Orchard House’s inherent balance makes it ideal for a highball as it can lead you in many directions. It possesses a dominant fruit profile, with a defined structure and depth, but you still have a lovely honeyed shortbread, malty quality and hint of citrus.

A fruity mixer will naturally complement its character, while a delicate zest of lemon over soda will render it incredibly refreshing. Both approaches will brighten the whisky while still connecting you to the flavour profile.

The crucial element to keep in mind is really your ratio of whisky to mixer. For a standard-size highball glass, with ice, I’d suggest 40ml of ​Orchard House rather than a full double shot as some find it a bit too boozy at 50ml. Again, have a play.

RECIPE: CLASSIC PEAR HIGHBALL

 Easy to make – very easy to enjoy – our Classic Pear Highball has a crisp, layered brightness with just a touch of sweetness.

INGREDIENTS
40 ml Compass Box Orchard House
10 ml Pear Eau de Vie
10 ml Sugar Syrup
20 ml Lemon Juice
20ml Apple Juice
Soda Water

METHOD

Pour the first five ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with soda water, stir, and add a garnish of pear slices.

Old Potrero 9 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Reserve Straight Malted Rye Whiskey (700ml) $89.99 View

Five Years in Scotch Whisky: A Report from the Front Lines

The last five years have been somewhat turbulent for the Scotch whisky industry. From soaring exports and distillery booms to tariff shocks and sobering post-COVID corrections, whisky writer Richard Woodard takes a clear-eyed look at the data and developments that have reshaped the industry in the first half of this decade. We’ve made the article available on our blog, as well as adding it to the Business module of our Certificate in Scotch Whisky course.📖 Read the Post

LIMITED NUMBERS AVAILABLE

As ever at Little Brown Dog we are only able to bottle a small number of each of our releases. We choose them carefully, each one is a whisky we’d drink ourselves, each one is different, there’s something special about it, that’s why we chose it. We like nothing better than talking about whisky and answering any questions you might have, so find us on social media. All of our available releases are on our website too.

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WHISKIES FOR SUMMER

Whisky isn’t just for winter.

The long and peaceful evenings of June allow for contemplative sipping outdoors, perhaps with something complex and elegant like the Benriach 2008 we released for The Seasons: Summer collection. This single cask was chosen for its summery notes of mango sticky rice, vanilla ice cream, warm toffee and a touch of smoke. The right dram makes summer all the more memorable.

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For Dads Who Deserve More Than Just a Bottle

A gift that lasts all year

Some gifts say, “I saw this and thought of you.”

This one says, “I know exactly what you love.”

If your dad takes pride in knowing his whisky, discovering new stories, and enjoying every detail, then a Whisky Magazine Premium Membership might just be the most thoughtful gift you’ll give this year.

BUY GIFT

Old Particular

Secret Speyside 14 Years Old

Fancy something sweeter?

The Secret Speyside 14 Years Old offers a rich, refined dram – layered with juicy dark fruits, indulgent treacle, and polished oak. The finish unfolds beautifully with notes of chocolate-dipped cherries, stewed plums, and a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut.

Elegant, complex, and unmistakably Speyside – just don’t ask us where it’s from.

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This Father’s Day, Don’t Just Gift. Impress.

If he loves whisky, he’ll love this.This year, give Dad something more meaningful than socks or a last-minute bottle. A Whisky Magazine Premium Membership unlocks a whole year of expertly curated whisky content, and right now, it’s 20% off for Father’s Day.

BUY GIFT

Whisky Awards

At this year’s World Spirits Challenge, our whiskies stood out on the global stage — recognised for their depth of character, balance, and the meticulous craft behind each expression. We’re thrilled to announce that the following Cotswolds expressions have received awards:

Gold & TROPHY Winner:

Founder’s Choice

Gold Award Winners:
• Spanish Oak
• Sherry Cask
• Peated Cask

Silver Award Winners:
• Signature
• Harvest Series: Amber Meadow Whisky
• Bourbon

Bronze Award Winner:
• Hearts & Crafts 5 – Pineau des Charentes Cask

Whether you’re looking to discover something new or to purchase a gift for someone special, our award-winning whiskies are a fine place to start. P.S. Don’t forget, Father’s Day is coming up very soon…

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Jura 12 – Taste the Island

For the dad who loves a drop of adventure, Jura, the UK’s number one single malt, should be top of your list. Crafted in the heart of community, Jura 12 Year Old is the perfect gift to share at any social gathering.

Jura 12 Year Old is matured in American ex-Bourbon barrels, then finished in the finest Oloroso sherry casks on the remote island of Jura. Matured for 12 years, the whisky boasts a honeyed sweetness with intensified notes of warm spices, banana and soft citrus alongside a finish of freshly ground coffee and dark chocolate.

Versatile and vibrant, Jura 12 Year Old can be enjoyed neat for those wild at heart, or – if you’re mastering your mixology skills – seek out a spectacular twist on a classic, with a Jura Espresso Martini:

• Add 35ml Jura 12 Year Old, 15ml Coffee Liqueur, a single shot of espresso and 10ml sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake and fine strain into a martini glass.
• Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

Jura 12 Year Old is available from a range of retailers including The Whisky Exchange, RRP £35.

Fettercairn 18 – A Highland Gem

Inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and crafted in harmony with nature, Fettercairn 18 pays tribute to local artisans and conscious craft. Its rich, nuanced flavours make a distinct pairing with game and foraged mushrooms, both currently on-trend for the ultimate Father’s Day soiree.

Fettercairn 18 Year Old is available from a range of retailers including The Whisky Exchange, RRP £175.

The Dalmore King Alexander III – A Gift Fit for Royalty

The Dalmore King Alexander III is a majestic addition for whisky collectors and aficionados this Father’s Day.

A spectacular example of the Highland distillery’s philosophy of multi-cask maturation, the expression showcases a one-of-a-kind assemblage of six noble cask finishes, sourced from renowned bodegas and winemakers across the world.

Crafted by Master Distiller, Richard Paterson OBE, the whisky offers a velvety-full bodied and complex flavour profile, with red berry and passionfruit on the nose, and notes of citrus, vanilla and crème caramel.

The Dalmore King Alexander III (40% ABV) is available from specialist retailers such as The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, and Master of Malt, RRP £295.

The Dalmore 21 – Unmistakably Rare, Unforgettably Dalmore

For the ultimate Father’s Day indulgence, gift a bottle of The Dalmore 21.

This exceptional whisky has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels and first-fill Sherry casks, which previously held 30 year old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry. The Sherry casks are hand-selected exclusively for The Dalmore from the world-renowned González Byass bodega, to create an extraordinary whisky full of character.

Featuring bitter chocolate accents, Seville orange and subtle spice, the expression is a perfect pairing for any social gathering. Aromas of toffee apple and pecan pie combine with notes of liquorice, black forest fruits, roasted walnuts and marzipan, all harmonised with peaches, ginseng and pear tarte tatin to create this must-have dram.

The Dalmore 21 Year Old (43.8% ABV) is available from specialist retailers including The Whisky Shop and The Whisky Exchange RRP £625.