Blended Scotch Intermission & Compass Box Artist Blend Review

This review of the Compass Box Artist blend is part of a series of posts where I will explore if the new wave of blended Scotch is a better entry-level option to many popular 40% & 43% beginner Single Malts. I was originally planning to focus mainly on Single Malt on this blog. The experiences with my first bottles, even ones I enjoyed like anCnoc 12, Highland Park 12 and Laphroaig 10, left me looking for more depth of flavour. All the chatter about new blends prickled my ears and I decided to give them a go hoping for better results.

I recently listened to Roy from Aqvavitae discuss his 2023 reflections and 2024 outlook in the first vPub of the year. Among the many intriguing topics, what struck a chord was the discussion around the (possible) continued rise of blends. Seeing how they compare to existing blends, highlighting that there is a need for awareness to explain why these new blends are offered at a higher price point compared to their more commercially available peers. After some mulling around, I realised my take is quite different. I am convinced that many quality-minded beginners like me, who are starting often on 40 or 43% abv single malts. We are less likely to be influenced by the Blended Scotch vs Single Malt label. Especially with high malt blended scotches. What we are looking for is a great sipping experience, one of those experiences that makes you punch the air and go: Yes! 

And so, for the next couple of weeks, I am going to try a few of the new wave of popular blends. I will attempt to find that punch-the-air moment which none of my first bottles managed to deliver. Well except Arran 10, but that was an intentional outlier.

Compass Box Artist Blend (2022)

If you want to find a true disruptor in the blended scotch and blended malts space, it is hard to deny that Compass Box has played a major role. The company was started in 2000 by John Glaser, after he left the role of marketing Director for Diageo’s Johnny Walker. In its relatively short life Compass Box has had a few run-ins with the Scotch Whisky Association. The most notable, due to the use of wooden staves for ageing and then because of the decision to fully disclose the components in their blends. Interestingly the SWA considered this against UK and EU law. This would merit a whole separate discussion on why transparency should be stifled rather than embraced. In any case, and luckily for us week geeks, Compass Box went ahead with its transparency plan which continues to date.

The Artist blend, formerly the Great King Street Artist blend, was launched in 2011. It was followed by its peated sherried counterpart, the Glasgow Blend in 2014. Initially available in 500 ml bottles, later upgraded to the full 700 ml, both were rebranded in 2021removing the Great King Street name which referenced the street where the company’s Edinburgh offices are located.

The Evolution of Artist Blend

Doing a bit of research for this post I quickly found out that the blend has evolved in time. The original Sherry component was Oloroso casks and is now Palo Cortado. Similarly, the percentage of malt vs grain has increased while the proportion of Clyneliesh spirit has been reduced.  Kudos to Compass Box for being very transparent on ther blend composition. This allows whisky geeks like us can see how things have changed. If you are interested in having a snapshot of the changes check these sources: Scotchnoob’s 2011 review, The Whiskyphiles 2014 review, Compass Box own last Great King Street blend sheet and the new rebranded one. Comparing these older info gives a good idea of the evolution. 

While these changes might partially be driven by adjusting the balance of the blend, I imagine that it has a lot to do with the availability of the single components that go into the bottle. This raises one point we, as whisky fans, need to keep in mind. Independent blenders, who do not distil the stock used for their product, will inevitably run the risk of being forced to alter these blends. The components in the blend will need to change as the partners supplying the casks provide more or less availability of their aged stock. These changes might rub consumers the wrong way. After all, it inevitably brings some change in taste. I see them as opportunities to appreciate the ability of the blender and be fascinated by the skill at play.  But enough chatter already, let’s move on…

Compass Box Artist Blend Review

Tasting notes

Colour: Light gold, like a barrel-aged white wine.

Nose: Opens up immediately and is quite intense. At first notes of apple blossom and apple pastry (baked apple, butter crust, vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and caramel. The Sherry component may be minor but it adds a marked plump raisin note. There is a citrusy fresh note to finish. As it opens up in the glass, a clear malty oat biscuit note emerges. The canvas remains centred on apple blossom and apple pie but the spices gain in intensity. There is cinnamon and now some nutmeg. I notice a is a sight waxy hint, and the citrus gets more defined with both orange and lemon peel notes. The aroma remains intense well over the 30-minute mark.

Taste: Smooth and creamy mouthfeel and oddly almost cooling. There is more malt on the palate and the sherry is more noticeable, raisin and orange peel. Then the ex-bourbon notes take over. Vanilla, brown sugar, apple, spices and just a hint of fine oak tannin, adding to the whole rather than intrusive.

Finish: The finish is medium long, simpler than nose and palate. Sweet oat biscuit notes alternate with orange, apple and raisin. Pleasantly fruity, malted with a sprinkling of sherry character.

Conclusions 

I am probably going to repeat myself, and I am sure I will do so again in the future. I love a whisky that has a base aromatic “melody” on the nose, palate and finish. That is not the same as saying it has one note. Rather there is a connecting thread running through the tasting experience with each tasting moment bringing its nuances. After this review I have to say that the Compass Box Artist Blend almost delivers on this.

The nose and palate have a lovely apple pie with raisins undertone, that is slightly lost on the simpler finish. One thing is for sure, going back to my original question, i.e. if a blend can make a better entry-level dram than popular beginner’s whiskies. This definitely can. The aromas have a lot in common with Glenfiddich 12 on the nose for me, but while the top selling volume malt in the world falls off a cliff on the palate, the Artist blend provides a much more complete drinking experience.

Vote: 6.5 – Just a notch away from very good. I liked the Artist Blend a lot, and it is a fantastic bottle if you can get it at Compass Box’s suggested price or lower. It made me do a little “this is a darn good dram” dance, I didn’t punch the air. That’s no knock on the whisky, it is just a matter of personal taste.

A note on price

There is the matter of price, something that will come up with another one of the blends I am going to review. Compass Box’s own online price in the UK (early 2024) is 37 £. You can find it for cheaper, but overall I think it is a fair price for the quality. Prices in Europe range from 30 to 50€, which is a crazy spread even accounting for tax differences across European countries. At the higher end, it gets harder to justify. You can get into the territory of some pretty decent integrity single malts which makes competition for a blend tough. Maybe Compass Box needs to revisit some of its European distributors. The obvious suggestion, if you are based in the EU, is to shop around and take advantage of Europe’s open market .

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I always find it interesting, after writing my tasting notes, to look at other opinions. Here is a reviews of the Artist Blend I enjoyed, and it is only one because most reviews online are for the old Great King Street version:

Dramface (side by side with Loch Lomond 12)

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