Menagerie Blended Malt CB (Compass Box)

Menagerie Blended Malt CB (Compass Box) is a blended malt Scotch from Compass Box, the London blending house known for naming its casks. It vats single malts from more than one distillery, Deanston among them. It runs an open top mash tun, two wash and two spirit stills of a bulbous shape.

Deanston lends a soft, waxy Highland sweetness to the blend. A Fino cask lent a dry, bready, almond note to the honeyed make. The cool, even temperature of the old weaving shed gives a slow, steady maturation. Unchillfiltered and at natural colour, it keeps the full waxy body in the glass. The mill ran for 180 years before cotton declined and the site became a distillery. It draws water from the River Teith, which also drives the turbine that powers the distillery. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice.

At 46% it is clean and soft. Soft orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice run through it, smooth and waxy. A baked apple and a gentle clove lift it. The close is waxy and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. A characterful blended malt Scotch.