Compass Box Oak Cross Blended Scotch Review & Tasting Notes

Several months ago, I picked up a Compass Box Whisky sample kit. Inside are five whiskies: Asyla, Oak Cross, The Spice Tree, The Peat Monster, and Hedonism. So far, I've reviewed three of them, and the experience so far has been positive.

Something I respect about Compass Box is its almost obsessive transparency. That's a real breath of fresh air. You can even subscribe to their transparency email blast if you'd like. There are a few trade secrets they don't publicize, mostly the names of their sourcing distillery, but an online search can reveal much of that, too.

Today I poured Oak Cross, a non-chill filtered blended malt from three Scottish distilleries and aged in first-fill American oak (presumably ex-Bourbon) and new French oak casks. Oak Cross was named specifically due to the use of these two different oak casks. The blend is 80% Highland and 20% Speyside, and is bottled at 43% ABV.

In the glass, the appearance was a bright gold, which is its natural color. It left a very thick rim that produced very fat, slow legs.

A fruity, pleasant aroma wafted in the room before I had a chance to nose it. When held at chin level, the vanillas shined through. Lifted to lip level, apple took over. Then, just under the nose, a little spiciness and oak.

The mouthfeel was very thin, and it was tough to get a full coating in my mouth. A buttery vanilla hit first, then at mid-palate was clove and charred oak. Chocolate and apple took over on the back.

The finish is all in the mouth, there was nothing per se in the throat. The initially complex palate gave way to just the clove. It parked on the tongue and didn't dissipate.

Bottle, Bar or Bust: This is about a $50 whisky. It is also the lesser of the four I've tasted from this sample kit. I'm not suggesting it is a bad Scotch by any means, but compared to the other three, I would rate this one a Bar.

I'll get to the Asyla shortly. Cheers!