.compass box - enlightenment

"...Inspired by the writers, philosophers and scientists of the Age of Enlightenment it sets out to encourage the industry to consider the absurdity of a system that prevents producers from telling consumers exactly what has gone into the whiskies they are drinking..."

46% abv, €80
blended malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, fruity, fermenting fruit, warm sweet soy sauce, apple sauce, citrus, blood oranges

Palate: sweet, creamy, fruity, warm apple sauce, citrus, warm fermenting sweet blood oranges, spicy, white pepper, cinnamon, apple pie, nuts, almonds

Finish: long, sweet, creamy, spicy, cinnamon
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: Damn... Another Compass Box to like. She carries quite a punch for a dram of 46%, which is something I appreciate very much.

More info: Limited Edition release of 5,922 bottles worldwide, bottled in April 2016.

The Genetic makeup of this whisky is as follows:

Clynelish - matured in first fill American standard barrel - 48.2%
Glentauchers - matured in first fill American standard barrel - 13.7%
Balblair - matured in first fill American standard barrel - 10.8%
Mortlach - matured in rejuvenated American standard barrel - 4.3%

Sadly, there is no linger information given about the ages of the whiskies, because: rules.

from the press:

Since launching the Compass Box Whisky Co., I have always been a firm believer in the spirit of enlightenment – that the more information we can share with our customers about the Scotch whisky we produce, the better. Alas, it transpires such beliefs fall foul of current EU and UK regulations, which prevent us from sharing information about the age of every component whisky used in the creation of our blends.

This whisky, Enlightenment, is our response to these regulations. Inspired by the writers, philosophers and scientists of the Age of Enlightenment it sets out to encourage the industry to consider the absurdity of a system that prevents producers from telling consumers exactly what has gone into the whiskies they are drinking. And of course the whisky itself is something rather special. A blend of fruity, fragrant Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, it is bursting with aromas of fresh orchard fruit, flavours of vanilla, soft spice and pear and an alluring apple peel waxiness on the finish. An uplifting, enlightening whisky with which to ponder the world of Scotch not only as it is but also as it could be.

‘There is no desire more natural than the desire for knowledge.’

– Michel de Montaigne

.many thanks to Compass Box for sending us a sample