I still remember falling head over heels in love with Compass Box whisky at the start of my whisky journey. Not just because they make some absolutely stellar drams, but largely because of John Glaser his almost rebellious view of the whisky world. Breaking tradition where he saw fit (sometimes even leading to disagreements with the Scotch Whisky Associaton, like with the original Spice Tree), and sharing the entire recipes of their blends on their site. With their pursuit for great blended whisky, they paved the way for blends to gain greater appreciation again. Bottles such as Spice Tree, Hedonism and Peat Monster soon became popular products on the shelves and Orchard House received praise from fans across the globe. But there’s a couple of new kids on the Compass Box block, one of which is this Compass Box Crimson Casks!
The name Crimson Casks hints toward the whiskies that were used to create this blend with. Made up predominantly from ex-Sherry and ex-Red Wine casks, though there’s a small percentage of ex-Bourbon and ex-Virgin Oak in the mix as well. Glen Moray, Benrinnes and Teaninich are amongst the distilleries in the mix here and given my experience with those distilleries I know there will be plenty of yum to discover here. Though John Glaser announced toleave Compass Box last year, this Crimson Casks will show us if the future of Compass Box will remain bright. Let’s find out!
Tasting Notes: Compass Box Crimson Casks
Stats:
Age: NAS
Distillery: Compass Box Crimson Casks recipe
ABV: 46% (92 proof)
Chill-filtered: No
Natural Colour: Yes
Nose:
Freshly baked, warm from the oven, sticky brownies with an indulgently sweet cranberry reduction, covered in a hazelnut crumble. Behind that initial blast of yummy sweetness lie some darker tones of ground espresso beans, crushed cacao and blackcurrant syrup. A pleasantly thick and heavy sort of nose.
Palate:
Pomegranate, molasses and a generous helping of brown sugar topped american pancakes wait for me on the palate. With some rum raisins, fresh dates, and a port reduction to boot! It lies almost cloyingly sweet on the tongue, but in a most pleasant way that screams for a food pairing!
Finish:
The finish is long and hints of rooibos tea, candied cherries and a little bit of cinnamon heat linger pleasantly on the palate. Where the finish perhaps lacks a bit in complexity, it shines in longevity. Making me feel once more that this would be a perfect dram for a food pairing!
Food pairing:
You’ve seen me hint at it already, but this is a dram screaming for a food pairing. And as I get asked more and more for food pairings with whisky in my day job (and food pairing with whisky is also something I truly enjoy) I decided to start incorporating Food Pairing suggestions into my reviews.
For the Compass Box Crimson Casks I would highly suggest a pairing with a good intense cheese. While both a Stilton or a Blue Shropshire would be absolutely magic, if you’re perhaps not that much into blue cheeses an overaged cheese will do as well. Here in the Netherlands my go to’s are usually Old Rotterdam or Old Amsterdam. If you must abondon the cheese altogether, a nice chunk of chocolate fudge will do wonders as well!
Verdict:
An unctous, red fruit and chocolate heavy dram that screams dessert, makes this dram the perfect pairing for (you’ve guessed it) dessert! Though personally I’d go for the savoury option. Once again Compass Box has put together a blend that can put many a single malt to shame, especially at the pricepoint this sells for. Having said all that it does sit very specifically category for me. This is something I enjoy either as a pairing or when I’m in the mood for heavy flavours. This dram is anything but delicate in it’s flavours, but sometimes that’s exactly what your craving for!
