Ah, how do I begin to express my feelings about this simplistic Compass Box release: The Double Single? Well, suffice as to say that it took me nearly 2/3 of this bottle to finally get into the nitty gritty of this one. Maybe it was me, maybe palate fatigue, maybe just the change of seasons and the early onset of darkness that winter brings...who knows. It just took me awhile to warm up to this one. And I’m not sure I really did. Here’s the info: this is CBW trying to prove they can make a stellar blended whisky with just 2 simple ingredients- a well-aged single malt and a mass produced single grain. The single malt is 19 year old Glen Elgin and it makes up 72% of this blend. The remaining 28% is grain whisky from Girvan. It’s bottled at 46% ABV and like all Compass Boxes it’s NCF’d and has no artificial color added. It’s a lovely champagne gold and makes skinny, fast forming legs in the tasting glass. It doesn’t appear very oily at all. The nose is dominated by salt-&-toffee-covered green apples with the tiniest bit of light oak mingling with the orchard fruitiness. No real hint of alcohol or general spirit here either. Light and enjoyable. The whisky greets your palate with what initially caught me as Wrigley’s Double Mint gum. There’s spearmint and menthol that fades away to apples and cereal malt. It has a salty mouthfeel as it dries on the tongue and begins to warm you the way any spirit should, but at no point did it feel smooth or oily. I would call it abrasive if you accept that I mean that in a neutral/good way. The finish is long and full of spices that nail down the salty, dry feeling you get right after you brush your teeth. You can actually feel the alcohol drying and evaporating off of the tongue. It’s very lively. Overall, if I just take into account (as John Glaser probably wants) that there is just 2 simple ingredients I would have to bow down and say it is a wonderful creation. If I take it as an entire CB whisky experience (like I want to) then I say it falls short for making a statement, like most other CBW whiskies do IMO. If I factor in the crazy price tag of $155- well, then I think I should start to deduct grades. It’s a valiant effort with a ridiculous price tag. I can’t say I’d replace this bottle either because you can find plenty of other blends that leave you wanting something more for a whole lot less. This isn’t a fail- it just isn’t a win for me. 3.75 stars. Cheers, my friends. Happy New Year, as well. Bring on 2018!