Compass Box Great King Street - Artist's Blend 70cl

Tried the Glasgow blend first and then this. Two very different whiskies but both first class blends I can't recommend more highly.
A robust-but-pleasent alcoholic prickle on the nose quickly passes to reveal notes of pear drops and a pleasant almond-milk rounded nuttiness and creaminess that is emphasised on tasting with maltiness, candied peel and a slight pine nut note. The finish is medium-long and creamy with russet apples and a faintly fragrant but pleasing spiciness.
Takes an ice cube well and not too much cold water and is a great pre- or post-prandial dram and I bet is a belting summer drink taken out of doors.
In summary:-a super-grown up old-fashioned Glenlivet 12 yo taste that beats "supermarket" edition and cheaper "non-core" range malts.

29th December 2021

nose is sweet apple and other fruit. first tast is dry, watery and not very interesting. second sip is much better; creamy lemon merangue pie. quite a lot richer.. amazing the difference. finish is medium, and gently spiced with a bit of droed fruity christmas cake; just a bit tho.
overall, i think i like this; and i wasnt going to say that after first taste... in fact its very drinkable...TOO DRINKABLE!

Struth

5th February 2021

In a blind taste test with GlenFiddich 12 and the GlenLivet 12, I had a hard time distinguishing between this and the Glenlivet. My new "go to" Scotch. Same color as Livet, and nearly identical, but much less expensive. I'm going to end up in rehab, but at least I'll meet some stars there.

27th July 2017

Great blend which is enjoyable and almost too easy to drink. Which of course is not a bad thing at all. highly recommend.

14th April 2016

I love Compass Box's blends. I have owned several over the years and rarely regret the purchase. One of my favorites is the Spice Tree, even when it was "breaking the rules". Usually I find that I can drive right into a Compass Box blend and enjoy it. Oops.

I dove in too fast. My nose tingled, I was tantalized, without over thinking it I was hit with a scent of apricot and pine resin, plus a load of sweet. I was ready for it, my mouth watered for it, I sipped... ouch. I sipped again... uhoh. Man, are my taste buds off, is something wrong with me, or am I just being super critical. I waited, I sniffed again, nose was still there, solid, enjoyable, playful, but starting to turn waxy. I sip again. Boom, still bitter, burnt, cloyingly sweet of overcooked sweets, tasting like the bitter white pith of citrus. Maybe it just needs a little water. I add a few drops, now it is just watered down bitter. I throw in an ice cube. Now it is just sweet. I give up. I put it aside, I simply cannot drink it.

An hour passes, I pick it up, maybe I am in a better mood. I taste smell again, nose is the same, bit more diluted maybe. I pick it up, the bitter is mostly gone or I am used to it. I sip and the delicious, round, velvet plays on my tongue with spices and raisins. It lingers after with cinnamon, allspice, and mace. Nicely finished.

Final decision: I like it, but have to let it open up before drinking. It is at the right price point, but it is not a blend that I would want to drink every day.


Final Note: I am doing the 2015 advent calendar. As a result, I get one drink at it to decide if I like it enough to buy more. Sometimes I need to drink something three or four times to make up my mind. Thus, my rating is based on a one-time drink experience.

4th December 2015

I was apprehensive at first.
"Blended Whisky" conjuring up mental 'images' of cheap whisky that tastes more of Cigarette Ash and Disappointment than a Smooth Enjoyable Drinking Experience.
I am glad to say I was wrong.
This Blended Whisky surprises with it's light colour, and smooth finish. A beacon of quality in the smoke filled mire of other Blends

3rd December 2015

I just got hold of a bottle this week and it's already a firm favourite. Sweet and smooth but with enough complexity, creamy and buttery in the mouth and a lovely lingering finish. Dangerously good!

11th June 2014