Time for another new release from Compass box, after the excellent Lost blend, this is a Blended whisky, rather than a Blended Malt (meaning it has some grain whisky as well as malt whisky as an ingredient).
GLASGOW BLEND is the second permanent whisky to be introduced to the Great King Street range , which is essentially a small-batch Blended Scotch whiskies from Compass Box.
The range takes its name from 24 Great King Street, the company’s registered address in Edinburgh since John Glaser started the business in 2000. This time GKS Glasgow packs a peaty punch (not too much but it does) as well as a sherry cask profile, which will make sherry heads and peat heads content (without being too much of both). Why name it after Glasgow you ask? well, In his 1930 book ‘Whisky’, Aeneas MacDonald mentions that Glaswegians historically preferred fuller bodied and more flavour-packed whiskies than people in other parts of the world, so here u go!
Compass Box Great King Street – Glasgow Blend 50cl, 43.0%, £29.45
Nose: smoky and spicy with sherry goodness. This is not a sherry monster by no means but it’s sherried alright. Fig and sweet raisins not the very thick type but medium sherried intensity.sweet red fruit too. Berries and vanilla. Cinnamon.
Palate:Starts peppery and much peatier than the nose. Dirty sherry. Hot cinnamon. Earthy peat with the fruit underneath sprinkled with chilly. Drying and woodier as we go. .
Finish: dry sherry. Peat. Pepper
This is a tasty dram , although I must confess I did like the smoky but not sherried GKS New York blend (I tasted last year) better. This however is a tasty blended whisky, with a really unique profile, and a full body of flavours. The price under 30 quid is also right for a high end blend. Really a good starting point for people who like sherry and smoke.
Score: 85/100
Official sample provided by Compass Box