Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend

We have really good whiskey here, much more than merely serviceable. In fact I don't see how there's much to complain about when the price is $37 USD. Stephanie Moreno describes its flavor profile in good terms so there isn't much to add here, particularly the obvious tension between the smokier and fruitier notes - you never really know which ones will overpower your senses. I like!

Nose: Well defined but elegant and restrained smoke backed up by a little fruitiness (apples), some soft vanilla and malty notes. A touch of sherry and the grain whisky component is noticeable, but certainly not objectionable. Palate: The arrival delivers on the promise of the nose, being lightly smoky and fruity. Over time an apple cider note appears and it has an overall pleasant and creamy nature with a hint of sherried dark fruit. Finish. Short. The palate just fades away with nothing new appearing and little noticeable aftertaste. The first time I tasted this was about 6 months ago (early 2016) and I was a bit disappointed. There didn't seem to me much of a nose or palate and I really didn't see what the fuss was all about. Then recently I bought another bottle for a group tasting of blends with some mates and it seemed much better. Maybe there are batch variations? Tasting it neat is an enjoyable experience, but it's when you use this as a mixer that you finally get the message because it is absolutely, specifically crafted to be a superior mixing scotch that imparts a gentle but definite smokiness. Given the relatively small bottle size, by volume it ends up being in the same price bracket as many less expensive single malts and also the more interesting Compass Box blended malts, so it's a personal choice as to whether it is worth it. I did notice, however, that while I had this in the house I tended to reach for it automatically when making a scotch and soda. It has an agreeably light, clean character and is crisper than most other smoky blends. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Honestly, this didn't taste much like anything. A brief bit of taste at the start, and then nothing.

The best thing about the Glasgow Blend is the label. I don't mean that dismissively. It's just that I'm a big fan of Compass Box's graphic design. The label here is fantastic. I'd buy a poster of it and frame it. I wish I had as much to say about the actual whisky, though. Much like it's brother - The Artists Blend - this dram is entirely serviceable and comes at a fair price. Good neat, better in a cocktail, it's Laphroaig-y on the nose with medicinal/phenolic notes and unremarkable apple and citrus in arrival and development. I'm probably giving you the impression I don't care for this dram, but that's not it at all. It's really pretty good. It's just that, for me, when I want peat there are better options available in my bar. Where I think the Artists blend shines, though, is mixed drinks. When you need a bit of smoke to punch up a cocktail, I'd reach for this. The Blood & Sand, for example, is a great way to use the Artists Blend.

With the holiday season upon us and the arrival of cold weather, I get the craving for some smoky whisky. Picked this up in my continual search for under $40 anytime drams. Nose: Peat right off the bat, smells like a campfire with a hint of medicine like Laphroaig, (no surprise with it being one of the malts in this). After some time in the glass, the fruit arrives in the form of citrus peel and apple. Taste: Smoky at first but it fades into candied apples, citrus, and some dried fruit. Bit spicy too. Finish: Fairly long, smoked ham? ginger, sugar cookies, ashes. Complex and superior to the Artists's Blend in my opinion which seems to get more praise. This is blended whisky done right. Delicious and smooth for less than $40 bucks! Affordable quality stuff and a new keeper!

11/16 from D&M. I like this as much as Caol Ila and much cheaper.

As amazing as the Artist's Blend, with a spicy oily lemon start,giving way to a taste of nuts, up to a strong taste of peat that opens it's way to caramalised sweertness, some roasted nuts and a touch of apple that slowly, delicately turns sweet and sour and a little dry.