Gold Standard Blended Scotch Whisky (Compass Box)

Gold Standard Blended Scotch Whisky (Compass Box) is a blended Scotch from Compass Box. It folds malt and grain together, Caol Ila giving the Islay smoke. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Most of its peated malt is destined for the Johnnie Walker blends. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations.

At 46% it is supple and oily. 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. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. A characterful smoky blended Scotch.