Oak Cross The Signature Range CB Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (Compass Box)

Oak Cross The Signature Range CB Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (Compass Box) is a blended malt Scotch from Compass Box. It marries single malts from more than one distillery, Clynelish among them. The lost Brora distillery beside it, closed in 1983, was revived by Diageo in 2021.

The Clynelish within gives a waxy, citrussy coastal note. A Port or red wine cask lent berry fruit over the oily malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. The famous wax is said to come from the build up in the distillery's feints receivers. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt.

Bottled at 43%, it is rounded. A waxy, oily texture runs through it, with citrus, honey and a coastal lift. Beneath it run candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt. The finish runs waxy, coastal and clean. A characterful blended malt Scotch.