Don't let anyone tell you the blends business is easy - that couldn't be further from the truth. With the value of single malts rising significantly, what was once the beneficiary of the logic of the whole being larger than the sum of the parts, has now found itself on the flipside - that is the individual parts are greater than the whole. Whiskies are valued more when sold singularly from an individual distillery than they are packaged into a blend from multiple distilleries. Chalk it up to the ability for distilleries to brand themselves better these days and communicate the value of their identity to fans.

Yet, what about the value of a holistic expression, one that has layers and is wholly defined rather than singularly, never of just one profile but of many, each carefully curated and constructed to complement one another. If we did not think there was value in that, wouldn't it be akin to preferring one tube of paint over that of a masterfully conceived painting?

Compass Box founder John Glaser.

Well, I'll leave that to Compass Box to prove its worth, as part of a rarefied category of independent blended Scotch bottlers. Personally, I think what Compass Box is doing creates alot of unique value that is solely of its own work, craft and merit, and for that I've been a fan for a while now. But even so, the independent Scotch blender has gone through several notable changes as of late - being acquired, and with which I presume are some internal changes to both leadership, and who knows, what the company values perhaps?

Update: Coincidentally a week after this review was penned, it was announced that John Glaser would step away from Compass Box.

In any case, today we're going to try something that Compass Box has been getting up to lately - that is the Extinct Blends Quartet. As the name of the series suggests, this will be four blends that are meant to pay homage to bygone blended expressions that have inspired the team at Compass Box.

Compass Box has done no small feat of showing us how blends are still top notch.

The four expressions by now have all been announced, with the first three already released. They are, in chronological order, the Ultramarine, Delos, Metropolis and Celestial. As the last expression of the Quartet was not released yet, I was only able to try the first three.

I was piqued when I saw Compass Box showcase at the 2023 edition of Whisky Live Singapore, and so if you're down to try some of these newer expressions, Whisky Live is a great place to do so. It'll happen again in 2024 at the Singapore Flyer on 23/24 November 2024.

Okay, let's get down to it! Onward!

Compass Box Extinct Blends Quartet Ultramarine, 51% ABV - Review 

First up, Ultramarine, I'll save the suspense, this was inspired by Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and is a blend comprised of: Cameronbridge, Caol Ila, Girvan, Glendullan, Speyburn, Glen Ord, Miltonduff, as well as several undisclosed parcels of malt and grain whiskies.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A whiff of orange blossoms, it’s rather waxy as well - beeswax, lacquered wood, musty wood cabinets, but there’s also some bit of plums, blackberries, raisins and leather. Some thyme herbs, light bit of smoke, sort of like freshly laid asphalt, wet pavement, gravel. Light fruit sourness.

Taste: More prominently coastal here - umami and savoury kombu splashed with sea water, there’s some wood smoke as well, light bit of ash, and then more on the classic apricots and prunes. Some butterscotch and lemon sherbet.

Finish: Very characteristically Islay - sea brine, oyster shells, light squeeze of lemons, some parsley too and cold ash. Light bit of savoury burnt ends but not bitter.

My Thoughts

Hmm… very big Islay influence over here. On the nose it’s alittle more of that sense of antiquity, more Highlands sort, but as as it progresses it gets very Islay-ish with all these classically peaty profile accompaniment of flavours - the coastal brine, the lemons, minerality, ash. Here and there there’s some bits of the Sherry cask talking, but for the most part it you can really feel the Caol Ila.

Overall it’s decent, but at the price, there are other comparable options. Now too blown away by this to be honest. 

Compass Box Extinct Blends Quartet Delos, 49% ABV - Review

Delos takes inspiration from Compass Box's own Asyla expression that is no longer in production. Here we've got a blend of Cameronbridge, Miltonduff, Glen Elgin and Imperial.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lots of dense, thick honey, vanilla cream, orange blossoms, dried apricots. Again with the deep fragrance and mustiness of agarwood and wooden antique libraries - lots of those lacquered woods with an almost incense scent.

Taste: Really flavour forward, more of those orange blossoms, beeswax, honey. It’s also rather herbal with notes of eucalyptus, manuka honey, with some bits of dried pineapple. It has a thicker, almost syrupy texture.

Finish: More of that incense notes, musty wood cabinets, orange blossoms and potpourri - incredibly aromatic.

My Thoughts

This was really enjoyable with this great depth and fragrance that conveys a sense of antiquity - like a proper well aged blend! I really enjoyed the richness and fruits that ranged in intensity from medium to bright flavours. It somehow jogged my memory towards an old Glenmorangie.

Really fantastic stuff with superior depth, aromatics and texture. 

Compass Box Extinct Blends Quartet Metropolis, 49% ABV - Review

Metropolis takes heed from a Scotch blend that is probably not as well known, the Bailie Nicol Jarvie. This is a blend made of Aberlour, Miltonduff, Bowmore, and then several undisclosed parcels of malt and grain whiskies. 

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Brighter here, more honeyed definitely. Somewhat herbal with manuka honey, again with the mustiness of lacquered wood, some orange blossoms and apricots. Over time it turns alittle richer with chocolate syrup and cigar box notes.

Taste: Still with that herbal manuka honey, some leather, more of those confectionary milk chocolates. There’s some apricots in here as well.

Finish: Interesting turn of events - more Islay here. Sea spray, kombu, more briny before turning more bitter with a deep long warmth.

My Thoughts

This is a bit of a hodgepodge of regional profiles. It starts off as a bit of a Highlander, and then into the palate, it’s narrowed down to being more of your typical sherried Speyside with the more fruitcake sort of flavours, and then into the finish a big twist - it’s Islay-driven. I must say I find this very interesting and quite tasty at that, but at times I can’t help but wonder if it’s trying to be too many things. Also I’m not sure if these jigsaw puzzles necessarily fit…

Kanpai!

@111hotpot