Whisky: Compass Box Canvas

Country/Region: Scotland/Blended Malt

ABV: 46%

Nose: Mellow cereals, toasted parchment paper, icing sugar, walnut wood, peppercorns, hints of tea, underlying earthiness.

Palate: Medium to light bodied, refined sugar, hints of lemon, bitter orange, and dandelion, toasted parchment paper, oatmeal, molasses, tea tin, cocoa, almond flour pastries.

Finish: Medium length, mild drying quality, subtle citrus, walnut pasty.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Bakery Classroom

Narrative & Notes: Bright and sunny on the nose with mellow sweet notes of wheat and barley over an underlying earthiness. Toasted parchment paper emerged with sanded walnut wood, black pepper, and hints of tea and refined sugar. The palate was medium to light-bodied but vibrant, with refined sugar opening to subtle waves of citrusy lemon, bitter orange, and peppery dandelion. Toasted parchment paper appeared again with a mild drying that carried through to the finish. Oatmeal cookies came to mind as sweet grains and molasses collided while herbal tea tin notes, cocoa, and almond flour pastries lingered on the backend. Medium-length, the finish continued with a mild drying quality, subtle citrus, and walnut-stuffed pastry.

Immaculately balanced, this Compass box combined a healthy portion of young Tomatin with a dash of mature Imperial and then fruity portions of Glen Elgin and Glenburgie. I thought the effect worked well; though, as a Glenburgie-stan, I wonder how this would have worked with Glenburgie in the driver’s seat instead of Tomatin. I was surprised I did not find this dram fruitier on the nose or palate, considering the make-up of the malts and the use of vino naranja seasoned casks for a portion of the Tomatin.

Overall, a lovely well-balanced well-integrated blended malt for Compass Box. I enjoyed this a good deal, though I think there are better options out there for the price.

Image Credit: Universal Wine and Spirits