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JaRiMi (2.2.2008 10.32.24)
Maistoin tämän Compass Boxin tuotoksen eilen, siitä sanotaan seuraavaa:
"Morpheus is one of the latest limited edition releases from the Compass Box Whisky Company. Just over 900 bottles are available, and, according to John Glaser, founder of Compass Box, "Morpheus (the Greek god of dreams) is a bespoke bottling made for Milroys of Soho. In keeping with the whiskys name, we pursued a visionary notion: the combination of strong, peaty notes with an underlying richness and sweetness - due to partial aging in new American oak, something rarely seen outside the dreams of the typical Scotch producer." Morpheus is not coloured or chill-filtered, and comprises malt whiskies of between 10 and 14 years of age from Ardmore and the Compass Box favourites of Clynelish, Teaninich and Dailuaine distilleries. Primary maturation has taken place in a mix of first-fill and refill American oak casks, while 30 per cent of the whisky has undergone a secondary maturation in new American oak. The nose is initially quite dry and herbal, with background peat from the Ardmore, becoming fruitier and more floral as it warms in the glass. Full-bodied, lively and spicy on the palate, thanks to the use of new American oak, with citrus fruits, muted vanilla and notes of barley sugar and ginger. Then peat smoke kicks in, with soft oak and lots of fruity spice in the lengthy finish. A lovely, complex, stylish whisky. We have come to expect high standards from Compass Box, and Milroys can be very proud of this exclusive bottling. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £39.00, Milroy's of Soho. "
Pakko sanoa etten saanut tästä vielä oikein nootteja irti. Savuinen tuotos, tuota makeutta ei minusta löydy järjettömiä määriä, mutta jollain lailla makusekoitus on "outo" viskille, varmaankin nuo new oak-ratkaisut ovat osittain syynä tähän. Ihan hyvää, ei pahaa, mutta en pidä tätä kovin kauniina viskinä johon enkä siihen hurahtanut - ainakaan vielä. Katsellaan..
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Artturi (20.6.2011 8.45.54)
Great King Street Artist's Blend
Uutuus Compass Boxilta jota voisi lestin hankkia....
http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/greatkingstreetartistsblend.htm
What if Compass Box were to apply their whisky making principles to a line of Blended Scotches? Well, that is exactly what they have done with their new blended Scotch whisky brand Great King Street and the first expression under this new brand is the Great King Street Artist's Blend.
The name of the brand and label on the bottle have been inspired by Compass Boxs registered office address in Scotland, 24 Great King Street, Edinburgh.
Compass Box believe in a world where malt whiskies get all the attention, people often overlook the pleasures of good Blended Scotch Whisky. They believe it is time for the world to take a fresh look at this style, and that is why they have created Great King Street.
John Glaser says: "More than just a new brand, Great King Street is a mission, a mission dedicated to reviving interest in one style of whisky only: Blended Scotch Whisky. This is the style of Scotch whisky that combines flavourful single malt whiskies with delicate, elegant single grain whiskies.
"There are good reasons why the blending of grain whisky and malt whisky has been the mainstay of the Scotch business for well over 150 years. Well-made Blended Scotch Whiskies have an elegance and approachability that make them a joy to drink. They are far more versatile than other styles of whisky, equally enjoyable drunk on their own or with ice, soda water or in cocktails."
So, what is in the blend?
The Artist's Blend consists of around 50% malt and 50% grain whisky:
A 51.4% Lowland Grain Whisky (fruity/perfumed)
B 23.2% Northern Highland Single Malt (malty/fruity)
C 17.7% Northern Highland Single Malt (grassy/perfumed)
D 7.7% Speyside Single Malt (meaty)
Wood Flavour Impact
Here is a breakdown of the wood flavour impact of Artist's Blend:
1 62.3% First Fill American Oak Barrel (vanilla)
2 27.7% New French Oak Finish {New-Headed Barrel} (Grilled Marshmallow, toastiness, roasted coffee)
3 10.0% First Fill Sherry Butt (wine, dried fruits)
With no chill filtration prior to bottling and bottled at 43% with no added colouring preserving the true flavours and textures of the whisky. The Great King Street Artists Blend is natural whisky as all whiskies should be.
Artist's Blend Tasting Notes
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William Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Nose: Loads of delicious sweet fruity notes - apples, pears, raisins, orange zest, vanilla, a bit of toasted oak and wood spice.
Palate: Delicate, soft and smooth. It is rich, fruity and sweet with orange zest, apple pie, cinnamon, raisins. Malted cereal, vanilla and new wood spice.
Finish: Quite long, a wee bit fiery, vanilla, slowly fading fruit and dry wood spice.
Comment: The choice of casks have certainly enhanced the softness and sweetness of this whisky and there is obviously some good quality whiskies gone into the blend. Not the most complex but a lovely sweet, fruity whisky with a nice bit of spice, very easy to drink and one of those whiskies that once you taste it you will want more. Cant wait to see what is next in the Great King Street blended whisky range.
At first glance you may not think it is cheap at around £25 for a no age statement 50cl bottle of blended whisky but it is a well constructed quality blended whisky which I would say is very much worth the £25.
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