Akio Morita, founder of Sony, used to say that people can’t tell you what they want, because they don’t know what’s possible.

What I’m trying to do with Compass Box is show the world what’s possible with Scotch whisky.

From the original Compass Box business plan, 2000

Dear friends of Compass Box,

After an incredible 23-year journey, it’s time for me to bid farewell to Compass Box. This decision wasn’t easy, but I believe it’s the right moment to hand over the reins to the next generation of Compass Box whiskymakers.

In 2000, I set sail on a mission to share the joys of whisky with more people in the world. From the day I walked into Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh to introduce the very first batch of Hedonism, it’s been a remarkable voyage.

Meeting so many of you has been a privilege and a joy. From Singapore to San Francisco to St Andrews, I’ve shared drams with whisky lovers around the world, forging lasting connections along the way.

In 2011, at the University of St Andrews, I met James Saxon at a Whisky Society tasting. Little did I know then that eight years later I would be hiring James to join us at Compass Box. His journey has been remarkable, starting from his early days commuting to our London Blending Room from Glasgow, followed by our first collaboration on Rogues’ Banquet, to his work today, delivering exceptional whiskies such as the most recent Flaming Heart and the Extinct Blends Quartet. His creativity and sensibility for whiskymaking in the Compass Box way have become bedrock for us.

It’s no surprise then, that I now pass the whiskymaking torch to James, with the confident belief that he will continue to show the world what’s possible with Scotch whisky.

As I embark on a new chapter, my love for Compass Box remains unwavering. I’ll continue to champion the brand as a devoted advocate, confident in its continued success and evolution.

Here’s to an extraordinary 23 years, challenging the status quo to share the joys of Scotch whisky with the world.

Above all, share and enjoy!

John

Compass Box Whisky, 3 Water Lane, Richmond London, TW9 1TJ

GlenDronach 1993 30 Year Old, Single Cask #6753

With the brand expected to go under a refresh this year, this is going to be the last single cask release in this guise at this age.

Each year their Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, personally selects a handful of individual casks from the warehouse at The GlenDronach Distillery to be released as a cask bottling. With maturing whiskies dating back as far as 1968, there is an exquisite selection of barrels, hogsheads, puncheons and butts to choose from.

Each cask displays truly remarkable characteristics, the Single Malt Scotch Whisky contained with in having developed exceptionally during the long maturation process. The GlenDronach’s rich colour is imparted from the wood of the cask alone, deepening with time.

£999.00

Cask No: 6753
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Butt
Aged for 30 years
Bottles: 595
Distilled: 11th June 1993
Bottled: 2023

Tasting notes:

Colour: Rouge copper

Nose: Sherry soaked bramble, orange and sultana with chocolate praline, demerara and morello cherry fruitcake.

Taste: Mulled stewed fruit, with berry and chocolate gateau, and a luxuriously sherried oak finish.

TyndrumWhisky.com
The Green Welly Stop
Tyndrumwhisky, Tyndrum
Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8RY
United Kingdom

Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey

We’re hugely excited to announce that the Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey will be available later this year. Created in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, we’re busy putting the final touches to modules including History, Business, Raw Materials, Production, Maturation, Bottling & Blending and Sensory. It’s a truly exciting time for this young single malt category. Last week we were honoured to film in Denver, Colorado with many of the pioneers leading the close-knit community. It’s shaping up to be a terrific new course, register your interest today and be the first to know when it drops.

📝  Register Interest

ralfy review 1018 – Ardmore 12yo @46%vol:(Port finish)

Douglas Laing Unveils New Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ with a twist: A Fusion of Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky and Port Cask Luxury

Douglas Laing & Co. today announces the release of their latest Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ annual bottling. As the seventh addition to the series, this expression offers up something different from the Feisty Fox Terrier.

Crafted with precision and passion, this newest expression sees Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky enjoy a full Sherry cask maturation followed by a lengthy finishing period in Port casks. This unique combination imparts a rich and indulgent flavour profile, setting it apart as a truly exceptional release. The tasting notes detail who the Whisky reveals “layers upon layers of brown sugar, juicy forest fruits, decadent dark chocolate and a comforting warmth of baking spices.”

The black bottle and bespoke paper wrap are both a first for the Scallywag brand. This deliberate look and feel was chosen to capture the key characteristics of a classic Port bottling whilst maintain Scallywags main brand attributes.

As this is part of our Chocolate Series, Douglas Laing are marking the release with an exciting Golden Ticket competition where consumers have the opportunity to win prizes if they come across a Golden Ticket or a Scallywag Golden Bone (the star prize), concealed within the pack. The competition is running throughout the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

Scott Morrison, Brand Manager commented, “Being the seventh Scallywag Chocolate Edition we wanted to bring something different to consumers, something new and exciting that’ll get the tastebuds tingling. The Port cask finish is not something we’ve explored before with our Speyside Malt but made perfect sense for this new expression with its classic characteristics. The consumer competition, inspired by the iconic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film, adds an interesting dimension to the release and keeps things fresh – something we pride ourselves on here at Douglas Laing.”

Scallywag ‘The Chocolate Edition’ bottling proudly bears no artificial colouring or chill-filtration, allowing the natural spirit to shine. Now available at select retailers, whisky specialists, and online with a suggested retail price of £60.00.

Key Details:

• Presented in a unique black, screen-printed bottle.
• Encased in a bespoke paper wrap featuring a subtle map of Portugal.
• 48% ABV.
• No colouring or chill-filtration.

DISTILLERY FOCUS

Time flies, we are half-way through the March auction already! Time to take a closer look at some of the interesting lots featured, including this wonderful inaugural bottling from the Isle of Harris Distillery.

The Hearach derives its name from the Gaelic word ‘Na Heardh’ translating to ‘a person from Harris’. The 1,916 bottles produced for this momentous bottling, signifies the total number of people living on the Island, making this an amazing opportunity to be part of the island’s history.

There are some wonderful vintages in this month’s auction, including this 1975 Ardbeg Connoisseur’s Choice by bottling behemoth Gordon & McPhail, bottled in 1997. A sought after expression from an iconic range.

A more modern range is the stunning Concept 1,2 & 3 by Macallan Distillery, offered as a complete set in this month’s auction. The Concept series is focused on visionary individuals with fresh, bold ideas with imaginative and innovative concepts in the arts genre.

The Highland Park 1984 21 Years Old Ambassadors Cask was the first in a series of casks selected by the Highland Park Ambassador. This Cask was selected by the Ambassador at the distillery, Gerry Tosh. Bottled in 2005 at natural Cask strength, this is one of only 270 bottles produced!

These are only a few of the fascinating bottles in our March auction, we have much more to enjoy, including bottles from many of your other favourite distilleries. To view more wee gems visit clickwhiskyauctions.com. Register to bid. Remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it! Auction ends Sunday 17^th March from 8pm GMT.

King’s Inch Glasgow Single Malt

Fit for a king. The first bottling from this distillery purposefully did not use an efficient, time-saving method. It was distilled using West-Coast malt, using innovative distillation methods and hand-selected bourbon and Oloroso casks. Bottled at 46% abv, this is free from chill filtration.

The signature and leading whisky from a new distillery, this is one fit for Lowland single malt enthusiasts to dig their teeth into.

On the nose aromas of fresh green apple arise, softening to ripe barley, sweet vanilla, and caramelised sugar. The palate gives a quick punch of green apple, tropical fruits, and coffee, leading into notes of chocolate powder, and molasses. The finish is long, with hints of buttered toffee, black pepper, and with enough warmth to keep you cosy over the festive season.

£52.00
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Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Marrying is a process that we can use before bottling the final expression of whisky. It’s really when you take different whiskies and mix them together. It’s like blending. So, you take casks and mix them together and then either put them back into other casks or put them into big vats for a period when we say they marry.”

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