Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend Sherried Marrying Cask Selected by Houston Bourbon Society

My goal for 2019 is to return to foundational spirits. My explorations into single cask bottlings this year have been more disappointing than enlightening. The first-fill sherry casks, with one notable exception from Springbank, have only highlighted the brilliance of refill wood. And the many high-proof samples I've received have mostly reminded me that I prefer my whisky between 46-50% ABV. A good blend is the best response to the single cask trend, and few blenders are as skilled as Compass Box, even though their increased prices and releases this year have strained their fans' loyalty. Just as the novelty of the Great King St Artist's Blend marrying casks wore off, here comes this sherry cask finish of the Glasgow version, which itself is a sherry cask variation of the original blend. This makes it a derivative of a derivative, for those tracking it. Just over 300 bottles were produced for the Houston Bourbon Society and Houston Wine Merchant at 49% ABV, and a sample made its way to Modern Drinking HQ. The aroma presents peanut skins, buttered toast, and a hint of shoe polish, a balanced mix of sherry and malty characteristics. It's luxuriously syrupy on the palate, with a creamy and lightly sweet flavor similar to toasted pecans. The finish is exceptionally long and smooth, with a pleasant hint of freshly planed pine wood. This is a delicious blend that significantly surpasses the original Glasgow bottling and the marrying cask versions of the Artist's Blend. It's an easy, uncomplicated dram that feels like a break after the effort of analyzing single casks. While my inner whisky enthusiast will undoubtedly struggle next year to resist tasting exotic casks from obscure distilleries, I hope my better judgment will guide me towards less demanding choices. Except, of course, for that single cask Springbank I mentioned. I'm definitely getting that one. A person's principles only go so far.