.compass box - oak cross

43% abv, €35, blended malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: very gentle, sweet, vanilla, butterscotch, fruity, apples, caramel apples, pears, floral, rose petals, heather, tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus, lime zest
Palate: sweet, vanilla, spicy, white pepper, floral, heather, fruity, pears
Finish: long, semi-dry, fruity, apples
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: Like most of the Compass boxes, this is really lovely. I would not hesitate if I would stumble upon a bottle.

More info: Compass Box gives away the villages of the highland distilleries where this blended malt is comprised of; Brora, Carron and Alness. Respectively, this brings us to Clynelish (since Brora would be a. too expensive, and b. hard to get - looping back to a.), Dailuaine and Teaninich*.

All these malts have matured for at least ten years in an mix of American Oak casks. The marrying casks are created from a mix of first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, with the heads created of new French oak.

*) It is always nice to get feedback from the creators of the whiskies, in this case I received a tweet from Compass Box:

"Thanks @thomas_speller Good sleuthing on the distilleries too! Oak Cross is 60% Clynelish, 20% Dailuaine and 20% Teaninich."

So, now we know for sure :-)