It has released expressions inspired by woody Spices, fruit Orchards, and more recently an expression that supposedly reminds us of frigging library books (Vellichor)!

This year, as part of LMDW's catalogue, Compass Box is releasing the Compass Box Synthesis – with what seems to be a magnetic field diagram surrounding a bar magnet that you might have seen in your high school physics lessons.

Trust John Glaser's team at Compass Box to pull that off!

Read more about Compass Box and John Glaser's brilliance here. 

La Maison du Whisky's theme for 2023 is titled "Antipodes", which would be understood as "direct opposites". Like the brightest student in class, Compass Box has tackled the Antipodes theme with enthusiasm, and produced this release known as Compass Box Synthesis.

“Why Synthesis? As blenders, when faced with the theme of antipodes — extreme opposites — we naturally wanted to combine them, to synthesise them!”

– Compass Box's whisky maker James Saxon

To achieve the desired balance, three different recipes were put forward by John Glaser’s teams. Produced with malt and grain whiskies, these blends also combined – or should we say, Synthesised – bourbon and sherry cask maturations with versions matured in virgin, toasted and charred American oak.

Synthesis, Blended Scotch Whisky from Compass Box – 50% ABV

Malt and grain whisky, combination of ex-bourbon casks, ex-sherry casks and virgin American oak casks (LMDW exclusive)

The recipe selected has a more assertive character and was the only to include two whiskies aged in sherry casks, two bourbon casks and two American virgin oak casks. Produced from a blend of two single grains (30%), two Highland single malts (29%) and two Speyside single malts (41%), note after note Synthesis develops at the pace of an enchanting melody whose tempo accelerates in a crescendo. The increasing power of peat which over time becomes omnipresent, and the herbaceous and fruity tones that light up the flavour and aroma palette play the role of soloists in a constantly evolving tasting experience.

The symbolic label features the north and south poles of a magnet, with Synthesis embodying this magnetic fusion of contrasts and all the seduction it brings with it.

@CharsiuCharlie