Ethereal Scotch Whisky CB (Compass Box)

Ethereal Scotch Whisky CB (Compass Box) is a blended malt Scotch from Compass Box. It vats single malts from several distilleries, with Caol Ila for Islay smoke. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge.

Caol Ila's elegant smoke gives the blend its coastal, citrus edge. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. A few weeks each year the distillery runs an unpeated, Highland style spirit. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

At its natural 49% it is concentrated. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.