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91 points

Compass Box Canvas, 46%

Very delicate fruitiness on the nose with lychee, white currant, honeydew, green apple, vanilla sponge, baking spices, meringue nests, and white flowers. Single malt matured in experimental casks seasoned with vino naranja adds intrigue to the blend. A lovely weighty mouthfeel plays a duet of melon and tangerine, perky spices interject, with star turns from nectarine, white peach, shortbread fingers, almond, and nougat as it dilutes. A gentle beauty. (5,880 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Winter 2021)

91 points

Compass Box Myths & Legends II, 46%

Two parcels of single malt of differing ages from a Speyside distillery were blended to create this expression. The nose yields milk chocolate, fudge, slightly smoky apricot halves in syrup, and clotted cream. Good mouthfeel, with butterscotch, and orange segments dipped in hot chocolate on the palate. The peppery finish features dark chocolate and bitter orange. (4,446 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Winter 2019)

91 points

Compass Box Myths & Legends III, 46%

This is a peat-turbocharged version of Myths &Legends II. Mango, papaya, and burnt sugar meet soot, ground ginger, and aniseed: the bold tropical fruits are an equal match for the smoke. Beginning sharp and crisp with mango and tangerine, this nimble blend lets smoke and more assertive spice notes elbow their way forward, but they achieve consensus in the end. (4,564 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Winter 2019)

91 points

Compass Box Great King Street Artist’s Blend, 43%

Nostalgic aromas of wafers, white chocolate, hints of spice, and vanilla ice cream make this a mouthwatering choice. Sweet and creamy, there are rich flavors of vanilla panna cotta, candied fruit, pear, apricot, and white chocolate, adding caramel, custard creams, and sliced banana toward the end. Inspired by great blenders from many generations ago, this is astonishingly good for pleasurable drinking and mixing.

Reviewed by: (Fall 2020)

91 points

Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend, 43%

After a series of esoteric and expensive releases, Compass Box has decided to bring it all back to the people with a blend — and how! The journey sets out as we might expect; all sweet vanilla ice cream, stewed pear tart, and peach melba, but then a wave of spice and white pepper provides an unexpected but delightful twist. It’s like Spice Tree meets Hedonism…Spiconism if you like.

Reviewed by: (Fall 2011)

91 points

Compass Box The Circle Edition No. 2, 46%

The concept for this whisky is based on the color of coral and the phenomenon of synesthesia, whereby sensory stimuli provoke crossover experiences—like associating colors with flavors. An intensity of aromas is unleashed: tropical fruits, grilled pineapple, vanilla, caramel, dried apple ring, oak spices, dried citrus wheel, and struck match. Sweet, fruity, silky, and drenched in flavors of citrus, honey, tangy pineapple, grapefruit, lime zest, Life Savers, gummy bears, sliced apple, deep spices, and jelly beans. (3,113 bottles worldwide)

Reviewed by: (Fall 2022)

91 points

Compass Box Stranger & Stranger, 46%

A defiant creation containing 1% 1 year old Girvan grain spirit and 99% malt whisky from Glenlossie, Glen Elgin, and Linkwood, this collaboration celebrates a decade of idiosyncratic and unconventional whisky label designs. It’s warm and effusive, with brown sugar on baked apple pie, Scottish tablet, plus orange and lemon peel. Barley sugar, kiwi, lime, brown sugar cookies, pepper, clove, and a smooth finish of sugar and spice. (4,802 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Spring 2019)

90 points

Compass Box The Peat Monster, 46%

A fantastically earthy whisky bristling with real, grubby peat: more blazing, bothy peat fire than coastal campfire. Fleeting elements of fudge and smoldering, mellow cigar stubs. A smooth, creamy blend with lemon curd, vanilla sponge, mint, smoked prosciutto, and a dollop of malt. There’s wonderfully smoky, singeing heat at the back of the palate, though it feels like the Islay peat has been pegged back for the 2015 batch. A succulent and smoky finish to warm the soul.

Reviewed by: (Fall 2015)

90 points

Compass Box Oak Cross, 43%

Compared to Asyla, this has noticeable added richness, fruit, and spice. The nose brings apple danish, creamy custard, honey, citrus peel, and the fragrance of lightly toasted spices. Against a core of rich, tangy fruits, a spicy partnership of pepper and clove manifests under the tongue, stealthily curls around the sides, and storms the palate. The mouth-coating finish drips with mandarin and cooked apple pierced by clove.

Reviewed by: (Summer 2018)

90 points

Compass Box Last Vatted Malt, 53.7%

Not Compass Box at the very top of its game, but pretty damn good nevertheless. This is a mix of malts from different distilleries and it has the company's distinctive DNA all over it, combining siege cannon-strength peated malt with rich, fruity, sherried whisky. It's clumsier than the wonderful Flaming Heart but in the same ballpark, and I have to declare an interest — I adore this combination when it's delivered right. £180

Reviewed by: (Spring 2012)

90 points

Compass Box No Name (No. 2), 48.9%

So good, they didn’t name it twice. More brooding than the first iteration, with a heavy curtain of ashy sooty smoke, fresh herbal tones, lemon, and dried fruity sweetness. The palate is led by red cherry, plum, cranberry, and tangy orange peel, then hot smoke sets off a peppery firecracker. The structure is deceptively light, developing more grip as the lemon sherbet sweetness heralds the lengthy finish of beach bonfire smoke. (8,436 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Fall 2019)

90 points

Compass Box Hedonism Maximus

An older, more exotic expression of Hedonism, consisting of 42 year old Invergordon and 29 year old Cameron Bridge grain whiskies. Straw gold color. This is richer and cleaner than most other grain whisky offerings, which are often too thin and overweight with dry oak. Like many older grain whiskies, creamy vanilla, coconut custard, and a variety of tropical fruits abound. Additional notes of toasted marshmallow, caramelized apricot, golden raisin, and a gentle dried spice finish add complexity. Surely one of the better examples of this rather eccentric category.

Reviewed by: (Spring 2009)

90 points

Compass Box Myths & Legends I, 46%

Two parcels of whisky of varying ages from the same Northern Highland distillery were blended together in this expression. Floral on the nose, with ginger biscuits, malt, vanilla, and peach blossom. The palate is voluptuous, with sweet orchard fruits, more malt, and cinnamon spice. Nutty, with cocoa and oak in the ultimately drying finish. (4,394 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Winter 2019)

90 points

Compass Box Delilah’s XXV, 46%

Dried heather, peppercorn, salt crystals, green fruits, dried fennel, aniseed, dry leaves, and floral top notes produce a lip-smacking bouquet like a chilled manzanilla. The palate has vanilla tablet sweetness like the previous Delilah’s release, though this is bottled at higher strength, with flavors of dried fruits: peach, apricot, and mandarin. (8,520 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Fall 2018)

90 points

Compass Box Delilah's, 40%

A special bottling in recognition of Chicago's outstanding alternative rock venue Delilah's, and like that venue this is full of character, color, grit, and determination. It's sweet but never cloying, soft and honeyed but gutsy, and there are peppermint, licorice, and fresh hay notes in the mix, too. It's spent time in bourbon wood and that shows. A departure for Compass Box, but a healthy one.

Reviewed by: (Winter 2013)

90 points

Compass Box The Lost Blend, 46%

The smoking wicks of church candles, smoked meat, coastal notes, cumin, coriander seed, and herbal elements. A sophisticated palate of unsweetened fruit. Peaches, citrus, and pineapple, with a waxy presence building later on, settles to a dry finish of herbs and beeswax. We can easily overlook the narcissism of making tributes to your own past bottlings as John Glaser turns whisky resurrectionist in homage to Eleuthera. Layered, complex, thought provoking, and finely tuned for the connoisseur.

Reviewed by: (Winter 2014)

90 points

Compass Box Juveniles, 46%

A blend of four single malts for the latest incarnation, this has poached pear, sweet green apple, melon skins, light spices, barley sugar, and yet some crunchy barley notes too. Sweet vanilla fattens out to orange, peppercorn, honey, and barley sugar, with apple and herbal greenery appearing at the end. Hold for at least 30 seconds, then there’s spice at the swallow, and a waxy, mouth-coating finish of smooth-pulped fruits. (14,894 bottles)

Reviewed by: (Spring 2019)

89 points

Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength Magnum, 57.3%

Dry peats tossed on a driftwood fire with coastal aromas of sun-scorched seaweed beside high tide rock pools comprise this refined dram. A momentary glimpse of lighter lemon, lime, and pineapple is quickly snuffed out by the full strength assault. It’s like pulling the pin on a grenade. There’s a dense barrage of peat moss, worn leather, and cocoa at the death. Ride through it to glory. Possibly the highest ABV that Compass Box has ever given us. £120

Reviewed by: (Fall 2015)