The Return of The Spice Tree with Compass Box Meet-up October 14th

The Return of The Spice Tree with Compass Box Meetup
The Harbor Restaurant- October 14th.


So, in my drinking history, I was never really a fan, or any type of a fan of blended whiskys. Even though the men in my family absolutely loved it, and I grew up seeing them drinking all types of Chivas Regal, and all types of Canadian blended whiskys, my palate did not acquire it. Until one day I tasted a whiskey from the Yamazaki distillery, but we will get into that later.

Saying all that, I discovered the Compass Box, founded by Mr. John Glaser. In 2000, he started the company in his kitchen, and now, today, he is respected as one of the best whiskey makers of his generation. He is respected in Scotland, he has access to distillers there, his job is to blend, not to distill, and he takes it to his London studio to test and blend. His artisan approach has constructed these great whiskey blends such as, The Asyla, which they would call something made for a Sunday afternoon. It is suggested to use a couple of ice cubes, non chilled filtered. The cogeners has compounds that holds the flavors. We would call this a gateway whiskey. It has no caramel coloring added, 50% grain, another 50% is made from 3 single malts of Scotland.

Compass Box holds regular meet ups for people who are learning about whiskey, or blended whiskey, and all types of novices alike. There, Robin Robinson, the brand educator, teaches you a brief history of the distillation process, and explains to you how Mr. Glaser came up with all of his brands, why one brand was banned, and why Compass tastes so darn good. Compass Box has the Asyla, the Oak cross, the Peat Monster, Hedonism, La Orange, in the new Spice tree. At this location, I found that the novices ask great questions, and a few, I found, a bit timid about blended whiskey in particular.

The Oak Cross is similar to Clynelish, is made out of French Oak Barrels (with a French oak on the top, and bottom of the barrel) that's toasted, not charred, which makes it more aromatic. The Peat Monster, which is my favorite whiskey from The Compass Box. If you have ever been afraid to drink a Islay whisky, the Peat Monster should be your first start. It is blended with Laphroaig, Coal lla, and Ardmore 14 year. If you're asking yourself, how could it be called the Peat Monster with them using one whisky outside of Islay, it's because the Ardmore 14 year is a bit peaty from the highlands, and to my knowledge, it is the only whiskey with a bit of peatiness to it, which is why I love it so much. Next is the Hedonism, it has a limited release, is 100% grain, just like Bourbons and Ryes, such as oaks, barley, wheat, and corn.

The Harbor Restaurant passed out great hor d orves, and I had a splended time. I was hoping to meet Mr. Glaser that night, but he was away on business, and I was informed he will be in the next Compass Box event. So this story has to be continued.

Slaanndjivaa.