COMPASS BOX RELEASES MAGIC CASK

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A Limited Edition Inspired by A Single Extraordinary Sherry-Seasoned Cask

LONDON, 18th December, 2020 – Compass Box has today launched their latest Limited Edition Magic Cask Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Made from a blend of Speyside malt whiskies, Magic Cask takes its defining character from the inclusion of whisky from one Sherry-seasoned cask. On the palate, Magic Cask reveals ripe golden dessert apples with an oaky richness, while flavours of toffee and cocoa powder are also conjured up. The Compass Box whisky makers recommend pouring the whisky after dinner and savouring its medley of autumn fruits and dark chocolate.

In 2016, Compass Box re-racked one-year-old malt spirit of robust character into first fill Oloroso-seasoned butts. By 2019, one particular cask – #2 – proved so compelling that they began to experiment.

Compass Box Founder and Whisky maker John Glaser says, “Sometimes just one cask in a blend of many can provide the touch of magic that allows the whole arrangement to sing. We first took advantage of this phenomenon in 2006 when an experimental whisky, finished in an ex-Madeira barrique, led to the Limited Edition bottling we called Magic Cask. We’re delighted to be able to share with you again the magical influence of one exceptional cask – a Sherry-seasoned cask in this case – can have on a recipe.

”Whisky maker James Saxon adds, “We have had samples of whisky from the lost Imperial Distillery in our Blending Room for some time. Aged in first fill Bourbon barrels, the spirit is brimming with fruit and vanilla notes and exhibits a lovely tongue-clinging texture. However, finding the right project and accompaniments to this parcel of single malt proved a challenge. Then, last year, we discovered cask #2 amongst samples drawn from our 2016 Sherry cask maturation experiment. Full to the brim with cherry fruit and cedar spice character, it was a remarkably precocious whisky. When combined with the parcel from the lost distillery, it created an exceptionally rich and layered blended malt Scotch whisky.”

Available in the UK from today, Magic Cask joins Limited Edition whiskies Hedonism Felicitas, Rogues’ Banquet and Peat Monster Arcana, which were released in 2020, Compass Box’s 20th anniversary year.

ABV and SRP Price: 46% ABV: 70cl £145.00. 5,538 bottles produced globally, including the UK. Available from www.compassboxwhisky.com

Magic Cask Tasting Notes: Aromas of marmalade and chai tea spices, with hints of plum. Ripe golden dessert apples dominate the luscious palate, supported by an oaky richness. Flavours of toffee and cocoa powder are also conjured up.

Technical Details: Bottled at 46%. Natural colour. Not chill-filtered. Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.

Serving Recommendations: Savour Magic Cask neat, as a digestif, to appreciate its power and depth.

For information about Compass Box, please visit www.compassboxwhisky.com or follow @CompassBoxWhiskyCo on Instagram.

ABOUT COMPASS BOX

We are Scotch whiskymakers. This word ‘whiskymaker’ is our word – it does not appear in a dictionary. And for 20 years we have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. Of course, we have not done it on our own. We have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. We have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because we are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. Whiskies that just must be experienced. This vision motivates us as whiskymakers. Our blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry. Six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year. 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee, John Glaser, Founder of Compass Box.

JOHN GLASER, WHISKYMAKER

American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box, the boutique Scotch whisky blending house widely recognised in the industry for their innovative approach to the creation and enjoyment of whisky. John began his career on a path to become a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two blending rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrates its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue to take forward his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.

Tags: Compass BoxLimited EditionMagic CaskSherry-Seasoned Cask

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.