Compass Box Menagerie

Another day, another bottling from this brand. Nose - Right away, I detect the brand's signature sweet, fruity malt character. I know they say they alter things constantly, but they really don't. They heavily favor fruity notes with a touch of oak, and it's present here. There are subtle earthy and funky notes that are easily overlooked if you don't know the ingredients. As it sits, sherry aromas begin to emerge gently and subtly. Vanilla cream and a faint whiff of pork complete the profile. Taste - Pineapple, pear, and citrus mingle with waxy vanilla and savory, slightly gamey pork shoulder. Earthy notes from peated scotch combine with meaty, savory elements, dominated by a strong vanilla presence, yet opening with fresh citrus fruits. Overall, a very pleasant and somewhat more adventurous expression from this brand, which I appreciate. However, I am somewhat disappointed by the younger age and the significant proportion of that highland malt. I would have preferred to spend a bit more for this to be enhanced with some darker, older oaked casks. Instead, we have this distinctive whisky that's also rather mild and somewhat lacking. Packaging - The box itself is quite dull. The bottle's artwork is appealing, and the thick paper texture is impressive. Overall, the packaging is below average for this brand, but still decent. Score - This is a tough one. It possesses a really nice, high level of complexity, but it's thin, watery, and muted in certain aspects. It really doesn't taste like a malt that should be bottled at 46%. 48-50% would have been more fitting for this spirit. It's significantly proofed down, which is not ideal. The age statement is acceptable, but there's a sense of youth alongside hints of maturity. Ultimately, it feels like they aimed to reduce the price with younger whisky rather than using younger whisky to create a superior product. So, I'm rating it a 2.5, which is admittedly a bit low. At $128, it's not a bargain, but it's not overpriced either. The recurring issue is that I believe they could have achieved a 3.75 rating. By lowering the proof, using mediocre highland malt, and failing to incorporate exceptional aged whisky for finishing, they missed an opportunity to release a great bottle and instead put out a very average one. If you enjoy the flavor profile they advertise, purchase it if you have disposable income. If you're a big fan of this brand, get it. If neither of those applies to you, pass it by. There's nothing particularly special here.

The branding and unique blends from this company always grab my attention, making me more critical of their releases. While I generally enjoy their whiskies, only a select few have exceeded my expectations. That said, this "Menagerie" blend was exceptional. "Menagerie" refers to a "House of Beasts," a precursor to the Circus. These collections began in early 1700s French farms, where people paid to view animals. The enterprise expanded over time, featuring more exotic creatures in mobile enclosures, and even the Palace of Versailles housed its own collection of wild animals. This blended malt contains: 17.1% Deanston, 42.7% Mortlach, 16.7% a custom Highland blend, 18.1% Glen Elgin, and 5.4% Laphroaig. Bottled at 46% ABV, it's intended to present a variety of exotic flavors and aromas. On the nose, it's peaty and intriguing, with notes of mint, permanent marker, and abundant herbal scents, along with moss. Pineapple is the dominant tropical note, accompanied by wet grass. After an initial taste, the aroma evolves to toffee, mint, and orange juice. On the palate, it's a delightful whisky. Vanilla and pineapple are present, along with a metallic sensation akin to licking a penny. It's quite tart with gooseberries and has a milky, sugary syrup feel. The finish is the highlight. Chocolate, silicone, glue, pepper, sulfur, and mint are detected. Truly remarkable. Overall, this expression met its promise. It's a peaty yet tropical whisky, fruity and sulfuric but exceptionally well-balanced and pleasing. They've truly created a collection of tamed creatures here. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it, giving it a score of 93 out of 100.

Another special release (approximately 7,000 bottles) from the Compass Box experts. This one might be a bit too smoky for my preference, judging by the blend descriptions, but it's from CB, so it should still be quite good... or at least, I hope so.... The nose carries a slight smokiness, but it's not overwhelming. Beneath the peat, I'm detecting subtle honey almond notes. The initial taste lives up to the name, as it's a bit untamed. Smoke is prominent right away, but as that intensity builds, an unexpected sweetness emerges. Almonds and perhaps a hint of stone fruit appear on the finish. After a few sips, the peat seems less intense than my initial impression. The conclusion offers another surprise, with a mild peppery warmth in the middle of the palate that lingers like a dense fog. (I'm sure Scotch aficionados are cringing at my using a descriptor associated with another beverage in a blended Scotch review, but so be it). Overall, this is an intriguing blend, just as the creators intended. 'Menagerie' is a fitting name for this dram, as there's a lot going on. I'm uncertain if I would choose this one again, as it might be pushing my limit for peat, but the surprising sweetness and interesting finish add something captivating to the experience. Honestly, I'm enjoying this more than I anticipated. Cost is a factor, as with most CB bottles, but this is likely a worthwhile purchase if you enjoy moderate peat flavors.

Menagerie's idea is 'different types of whiskies united', built on 42.7% Mortlach. The aroma features smoked pineapple, mango, and ginger candies, and it's good they didn't unleash the Laphroaig. Wisps of smoke, herbal infusions, and summer fields appear. On the palate, tropical fruits, peppery seasonings, and traces of peat combine with eucalyptus, green apples, and cloves. Balanced oak, lemon, and toasted nuts shine in the enduring finish. This collection offers much to explore, provided you can cover the cost of entry.

Smells of caramel, mild spice, leather, dried fruit, and chocolate plus vanilla (16) Rich and creamy on the palate, with vanilla, baking spices, chocolate, and an oily texture (20) A brief finish with fall flavors and a hint of spicy grass. Delightful (19) Overall, a pleasant palate contrasting with the aroma, but the finish is too brief (18) 73/100

The aroma presents fruit, vanilla, and oak. Fruit and oak are tasted. Adding a few drops of water releases vanilla cream and caramel. After resting, peat notes become apparent.