The Story of the Spaniard The Signature Range CB (Compass Box)

The Story of the Spaniard The Signature Range 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. Deanston is the only distillery in Scotland to generate all its own power from the river.

Deanston lends a soft, waxy Highland sweetness to the blend. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut over the wax. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its honey and wax. It was mothballed in 1982 and revived in 1990 under Burn Stewart. The site was the Adelphi cotton mill, built in 1785 by Sir Richard Arkwright and turned to whisky in 1965. It uses 100% Scottish barley and bottles its malt unchillfiltered, with no added colour. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and honey deepening over the wax. Its old weaving shed, once full of looms, is now a cool stone warehouse for the casks.

At 43% it is fruity, honeyed and waxy. Soft orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice run through it, smooth and waxy. Pear, honey and a creamy malt fill the middle. The finish runs long, fruity and warming. A characterful blended malt Scotch.