Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend

One of the most thin bodied scotches I have had...

I just finished this bottle last night. Initially I was disappointed in it. But, as I kept going back to it I found I really began to appreciated the underlying sweet notes and the changing smoke (not peat) influence. It just all of a sudden became more interesting and more complex then what I initially thought was an unbalanced blend. So, ultimately at its price point I think I will buy this again. Just goes to show that you have to stick with something despite first expressions. Except for Bowmore 15 Darkest. That’s terrible. I’m actually afraid of it at this point and have moved it to the back corner of my bar. And I like the 12 so go figure.

A mostly easy-going peat introduction. A little astringent and citric. Palette has light fruit notes. Sweet bright apple? some pepper throughout.

Picked up on clearance. I'm new to peated scotch so this is interesting. Peaty and a little rubbery almost. Nose is very mellow and semi-sweet. I finally understand the bandaid taste note. Cheers to new experiences and clearance sales.

Picking through my mass of samples I decided to go with something light on ABV tonight. Great King Street Glasgow Blend from Compass Box at 43% ABV should fit the bill nicely. This is CBW’s budget scotch along with its sister bottle the Artist Blend. @LeeEvolved sent me this sample quite a while ago (along with many others) so it’s about time it got to it. There are many different components to this blend that I’m not going to list, but it’s 1/3 grain and 2/3 malt whiskies. As with all Compass Box expressions, this is non chill filtered and natural color, this one is pale straw. The nose is very light and delicate, not what I was expecting and not a good start. Faint smoke (Laphroaig is one of the malts being used) and lightly fruity. The grain components come through with vanilla and coconut, thankfully there is no harshness to it. A distant waxiness, and a just as distant sherry note. The whole profile is incredibly light and hard to pick anything out. Some berries and a bit of a rubbery/latex note. The Laphroaig becomes more dominant, but there wasn’t much there to dominate to begin with. Some of the classic Laphroaig medicinal notes and a bit of candy sweetness. A real disappointment of a nose. The palate begins with the classic Laphroaig signature peat and smoke along with the medicinal, bandaid, iodine and campfire ash notes. All those, but turned down to a 4 vs the real deal that’s at a 10. Faint oak and sawdust, vanilla, grain alcohol and coconut. Ever so soft sherry, raisins/grapes and nuttiness. Not as much of a letdown as the nose, but not far off. A light bodied mouthfeel that is thin and watery. The finish is short, almost nonexistent. Some smoke and vanilla but that’s it. This is by far the worst CBW I’ve ever had. Other than the Laphroaig peat smoke there is very little here of any substance. Almost no finish at all, the nose is too soft and subtle. The only saving grace is the peat on the palate. For $40 there are far better blends and even single malts out there. This might be ok in a cocktail as it should be easily hidden. 2.5 and I do not recommend buying it. Cheers

1 yr later... compass box really outdid themselves with Glasgow Blend. Somehow they fit the entire scotch flavor profile into 1 balanced bottle. Initial review: i get a finish similar to peat monster, but with much less smoke. some smoke, some sherry, some fruit, some wood. it is interesting and enjoyable. probably priced too low, but i won't complain when i buy more.

Peaty. A little sweet. Not bad for scotch.