I have not always scored Compass Box highly beyond their affordable core range, especially when factoring the price of admission for more limited releases. So my expectations were few coming into this whisky, and I nearly turned down the opportunity to try it. I read the back label to see if I could find something about it to get me excited, and, let me say, as soon as I saw Bowmore, and just how much 23 Year Bowmore was in the mix, I was sold. I have no complaints about the price on this either, $200 is expensive, but for twenty-something Bowmore and Caol Ila in 2025, that is an absolute steal.

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Whisky: Compass Box 5th & Harrison 21 Year Blended Malt for K&L

Country/Region: Scotland/Blended Malt

ABV: 53.2%

Cask: Oak

Age: 21 Years (Bottled 2025)

Notes: Clean and coastal, the aroma spoke of heather and dried grass along a storm ridden coast. Brine and toasted herbs left me thinking fresh focaccia dressed with sea salt, rosemary, and some caramelized fennel root with hints of balsamic. A gentle smoke lingered further in with teases of citrusy pineapple and old newspapers. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavor profile featured plenty of hibiscus and plumeria tisanes, a wispy smoke, and sweet grassy-floral heather in bloom. Pineapple cakes and guava jam waited further in with a gentle maritime brine and some sweet saltwater taffy near the end. The finish was medium to long with pleasant achiote, pepper, salt, and sweet tropical tea.

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Score: 8 (87)

Mental Image: Dreaming of Sunny Days under Cloudy Skies

Conclusion: I was more impressed with this every time I sat down with it. The flavors were wonderfully clear, and the hefty portion of Bowmore stood out prominently— so much so that if I had been told this was 100% early 2000s Bowmore, I would have believed it. I am sure the Caol Ila and Glendullan played a role, but it was a bit part, and they knew where to stand on the stage. Overall, a fantastic blend, though perhaps one that felt that way because it so closely resembled some of my favorite single malts rather than a complex orchestral affair.