Compass Box The Travelling Circus

Compass Box The Travelling Circus is a blended Scotch from Compass Box, marrying malt whiskies for character with grain whisky for a smoother, lighter frame. Grain from distilleries such as the closed Port Dundas often forms the backbone of blends like this. The closed Port Dundas was one of the grain distilleries whose stock fed such blends.

A blended Scotch combines malt and grain whiskies of different ages and origins. Drawing on well aged stock, the malt lending depth while the grain gives a creamy, rounded base. A mix of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso casks shaped it, the bourbon wood lending sweetness and the Oloroso a darker, nutty depth. Refill oak, having given its sharpest compounds to an earlier fill, works slowly and lets the spirit lead. The blender's craft is to balance the parts into one whole.

At a hearty 49% it shows real weight. The malts bring honey, dried fruit and orchard sweetness, the grain a creamy vanilla and coconut, with the melanoidins of the Oloroso give fig, raisin and walnut adding its own note. There is a buttery, dessert like quality long aged grain does so well. The finish is smooth, sweet and lingering. A rounded, approachable blend in the house style.