Compass Box Oak Cross(Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky
43% abv
£24
Tried 3 Compass Box products in succession back in January, and might just do the same to round off this week.
The Oak Cross was born out of the flames (literally?) of The Spice Tree. The Spice Tree was a whisky created by John Glaser that became quite controversial because of his 'inner stave' method (more on this when I taste Spice Tree in the next few days. If you just must know more, read this for info or this for juice)
The Oak Cross casks are made with American white oak bodies and Sessile French oak heads. The idea is that Sessile oak yields specific flavours John wants in his whiskies, but also, it gives him the ability to toast the wood to a variant level and, as it wont be bent into a cask shape like the rest of the oak in the cask, he can char/toast the crap out of the stuff(if desired). The whiskies used are Clynelish, Teaninich, and Dailuaine. The result is brilliant and, once again, John shows us all how he is taking the art of blending to a new level. For the 3rd time, John was voted Innovator of the Year by Whisky Magazine, and we all wait for what he has in store for us next...
TASTING NOTES:
Light but bold, confident aromas; clay, flowers, some spice, and suntan lotion, jojoba or coconut. Peanut oil and oak.
Luscious mouth feel, geitost, heather honey sweetness that turns to spicy excitement. Oaky finish, butter and toast, with a tingling, pins and needles effect.
SUMMARY:
Makes me think of musicians, Damien Rice, Mark Shwaber, Leslie Feist... Confident and accessible while being charming, innovative, and interesting. Great value for the craftsmanship and complexity. Could easily enjoy this all night. The world waits for these guys to screw up... Not bloody likely.
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