Compass Box Crimson Casks is an indulgent, sherry-driven blended Scotch that leans hard into red fruit and chocolate
I still remember falling head over heels for Compass Box at the start of my whisky journey. Not only because they make genuinely stellar drams, but because the whole brand felt like a polite middle finger to stale whisky tradition.
John Glaser built Compass Box on a simple idea: blended whisky deserved respect, and transparency shouldn’t be controversial. They published full recipes, talked openly about casks and components, and weren’t afraid to ruffle feathers when the rules got in the way (the early Spice Tree era is the stuff of whisky lore). And it worked. Bottles like Hedonism, The Peat Monster, Spice Tree, and later Orchard House helped push blends back into the conversation in a big way.
Now there’s a new core-range kid on the block: Compass Box Crimson Casks. And with Glaser having stepped away, this release also feels like a quiet question to the future: can Compass Box keep the magic going?
Let’s find out.
About Compass Box Crimson Casks
The name Crimson Casks tells you exactly where the whisky is going. This is a blend driven heavily by ex-Sherry and ex-Red Wine casks, with smaller contributions from ex-Bourbon and ex-Virgin Oak in the mix.
Distillery components include names like Glen Moray, Benrinnes, and Teaninich, which already suggests a profile with body, spice, and structure. Combine that with Compass Box’s cask-first approach and the goal becomes obvious: bold flavour, rich colour, dessert-like depth.
This isn’t aiming for subtle. It’s aiming for satisfaction.
Tasting Notes Compass Box Crimson Casks
Stats
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
- Distillery: Compass Box
- Category: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Flavour Profile: Sherry Velvet
- Chill-filtration: No
- Colouring: No
Nose
This nose comes in hot, and I mean that as a compliment. Think sticky brownies, still warm from the oven, topped with an indulgent cranberry reduction and a hazelnut crumble.
Behind that wave of sweetness, darker notes start to show up: ground espresso beans, crushed cacao, and blackcurrant syrup. It feels thick and heavy in the best way, like the whisky equivalent of opening a dessert menu and immediately losing self-control.
Palate
The palate doubles down on the theme. Pomegranate, molasses, and brown sugar-loaded American pancakes land first, followed by rum raisins, fresh dates, and something that reads like a glossy port reduction.
It sits close to cloying, but never tips over the edge. Instead, it leans into that rich, syrupy style on purpose — the kind of dram that doesn’t pretend it’s “light and delicate” when it clearly wants to be poured next to food.
Finish
The finish is long, warming, and very satisfying. Rooibos tea, candied cherries, and a gentle cinnamon heat linger.
It doesn’t morph through five different phases, but it absolutely wins on longevity. And once again, it reinforces the point: this is a whisky designed to pair, not to be politely analysed in silence.
Food Pairing
This dram is screaming for a food pairing.
The best match is an intense cheese. Stilton or Blue Shropshire would be genuinely magical, with that salty bite cutting through the whisky’s sweetness. If you’re not into blue cheese, go for an over-aged hard cheese — Old Rotterdam or Old Amsterdam work brilliantly.
If cheese isn’t happening, don’t overthink it. A thick chunk of chocolate fudge will do wonders.
Who Is This Whisky For?
Crimson Casks is for people who enjoy big flavours and aren’t looking for subtlety. If you like rich red fruit, chocolate, baking spices, and a sweeter, heavier style, you’ll have a great time here.
It’s also an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a bottle that can stand up to dessert, cheeseboards, or after-dinner sipping without disappearing.
If you’re chasing fresh, zesty, delicate whisky, look elsewhere. This one is unapologetically rich.
What Do Others Write About This Whisky?
Independent reviewers tend to land on the same broad takeaway: Crimson Casks is bold, sherried, and dessert-leaning, with plenty of red fruit and chocolate — but opinions vary on whether it delivers complexity or simply indulgence.
- WhiskyNotes (WhiskyNotes.be) calls it sherry-forward and well put together, highlighting notes like plums, chocolate brownie, hazelnuts, and warming spice, while framing it as a modern Compass Box-style replacement for some older sherried favourites.
👉 https://www.whiskynotes.be/2025/blends/compass-box-crimson-casks-2024/ Whisky Notes - Whisky Advocate discusses Crimson Casks as part of Compass Box’s refreshed core lineup, emphasising the strong wine-cask influence and the raisin/cherry/chocolate direction the oloroso influence brings.
👉 https://whiskyadvocate.com/Review-Compass-Box-Crimson-Casks-and-Nectarosity-Whisky Whisky Advocate - The Whiskey Wash frames Crimson Casks as spice-forward and sherry-driven, with a punchy profile built around cherries, chocolate, and heat, very much aligning with the “big flavour” intent.
👉 https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-reviews/review-compass-box-crimson-casks-2025/ The Whiskey Wash
Verdict
Strengths
- Big, indulgent flavour profile (red fruit, chocolate, spice)
- Excellent food whisky, especially with cheese
- Non-chill-filtered and naturally coloured
- A blend that can easily outshine many single malts in the same vibe
Weaknesses
- Very specific profile: rich and sweet isn’t always what you want
- Can feel heavy without food
- More about indulgence than complexity
Final Thoughts
Compass Box Crimson Casks is not a “one dram fits all” whisky. It lives in a very specific space: rich, sweet, red-fruit-and-chocolate heavy, and absolutely made to be paired with something salty, savoury, or indulgently sweet.
But when you’re in that mood? It hits. And it’s another reminder that Compass Box can still build blends that feel intentional, confident, and frankly delicious.
This is dessert whisky with muscle — and it doesn’t apologise for it.
