Vellichor Blended Scotch Whisky CB (Compass Box)

Vellichor Blended Scotch Whisky CB (Compass Box) is a blended Scotch from Compass Box. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with Islay malt such as Caol Ila for smoke. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The clean, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while holding its citrus and smoke. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era.

At 44.6% it is smooth and clean. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. A characterful smoky blended Scotch.