Compass Box Oak Cross

First identified vanilla and caramel. Thought I tasted a bit of liquorice but there is none in the review. Clearly spiced. But not overwhelming

This is a great whisky, but I prefer the Great King Street Artist's Blend: Firstly, the blend of oaks isn't quite right, the French oak is very creamy, but overpowered by the American oak's spice; in French whisky, the French oak takes centre stage and in Great King Street, the sherry cask and the single grain leaves the French oak room to breath and express itself (and the sherry spice subtly layers those spicy notes). I also miss what Girvan had to offer in Great King Street Artist's Blend, somehow the rawness of the single grain adds something important to the mix.