OK, time to start this week with a round of reviews for Compass Box Whisky Company blends. I’ve heard lots of good things of their whiskies and after a long and rough voyage I managed to lay my hands on official samples from them – thanks Chris!

And we’ll kick it off with tasting notes for Delilah. Delilah, a limited Release whisky is a homage to Mike Miller’s legendary Chicago punk rock whisky bar Delilah’s which celebrated its 20th anniversary on 29th August 2013. It’s constructed from a mix of 50% single malt whisky, 50% single grain whisky and was aged in a mix of experimental new American oak barrels and rejuvenated American oak hogsheads.

The fact sheet mention It has been created to be perfect served as a shot with a beer or neat with chilled water. This is a bit different from the standard recommendation of sipping neat without water or ice and I guess it’s another facet of the tribute to the Chicago club and America (where they usually drink bourbons on the rocks).

That massive American oak usage here means to bestow upon us a lot of vanilla and honey/sweet flavors, is it so?

Compass Box Delilah’s Blended Scotch Whisky (40%, 6,324 bottles, buy here for £47.95)

Nose: Heavy creamy cereal notes, the american oak does lends here lots of honey and vanilla – strong notes but the nose still plays it gentle and elegant. Give it some time in the glass and some very gentle stewed fruits notes shows up as well.

Palate: Honeyed oak and vanilla, some grain impact finally shows up here but as a supporting act with some heat and peppery edge

Finish: Medium length, very smooth and gentle finish with mostly sweet honey and vanilla and some distant oak thrown in.

Conclusion: This one shows some posh club attitude – elegant, some veiled mystery feel and smooth rounded taste – not too sweet and not much oak or grain feeling. Real good blended whisky which I could definitely see going well on the rocks without the need to hide some bad flavors.

(Official sample from the Compass Box Whisky Company)