Compass Box Great King St Artist's Blend Single Marrying Cask (Bounty Hunter)

This is a single cask bottling of Compass Box’s Great King St Artist’s Blend, distributed to retailers internationally. This specific bottling was allocated to Bounty Hunter Wine & Spirits in Napa Valley, CA, with only 228 bottles produced. The standard Artist’s Blend uses 46% grain whisky from Cameron Bridge, 29% Clynelish, 17% CBW Highland Malt blend, and 8% Linkwood. The Marrying Cask version takes this original blend, returns it to a single cask, and ages it for an extra year. This particular cask, #69, previously held the Cameron Bridge grain whisky and was bottled near cask strength at 49%. It was re-casked in February 2016 and bottled in February 2017. Other Marrying Cask batches were aged in different previously used casks, offering distinct interpretations of the original Artist’s Blend. The aroma is dominated by strong oak, vanilla, and mellow fruit notes, with the high-proof grain whisky being quite prominent yet still sweet and rich. The taste features apples and similar fruits, a touch of sherry, vanilla, and some spice. The higher alcohol content makes it slightly more intense on the palate, but it remains quite smooth. The finish is characterized by lingering oak, warmth, and some dry grain qualities. Ultimately, I don't find this significantly superior or different from the original Artist Blend. Its $20 higher price point makes its value questionable. It’s a decent, reasonably smooth blend, but better suited for those who prefer a bolder whisky experience. Collecting all the Marrying Cask releases would be interesting but challenging due to the exclusive nature of the single casks. It still earns 3.5 to 3.75 stars. Enjoy your drinks, and thank you for reading. Support Compass Box; they're worth it.