Compass Box The Circle No. 2

I purchased a bottle of Circle No 2, knowing very little about this specific blend from Compass Box, except that Compass Box generally produces good whisky. Sometimes you just have to take a chance and go for it.... The nose on this is exceptionally bright and fruit-forward, reminding me of a variety of light-colored fruits. Tangy pineapples are mixed with canned peaches in their thick sugary syrup, with some honey added for good measure. There's a vibrant pop of citrus acidity, reminiscent of freshly sliced tangerines. The end of the nose balances that brightness by incorporating some beeswax and raisins. The initial taste is bursting with sweet fruit, like pineapple and apples drizzled with honey and vanilla. It immediately fills your mouth with sweetness and tartness, evoking a warm summer picnic. Mid-palate, the flavor profile shifts, with some candied raisins appearing between the end of the taste and the beginning of the finish. Spicy peppercorn takes the lead as the finish moves towards a spicier direction. Baking spices join in, and are then washed away by a wave of honey and milk chocolate. You can really notice that sweet kick at the end of the finish if you press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Another excellent blend from Compass Box. It might be a bit too fruity for my personal taste, but I can see it appealing to many people.

I previously overlooked this bottling because my local shop listed it at over $200. They eventually reduced it to $144, which seemed reasonable, and then... all but one box sustained significant damage! I secured the undamaged box and made the purchase. Nose: Remarkable! A blend of orchard and tropical fruits. Clean, with a subtle waxy note and light spice. Overall, it possesses one of the most fruit-forward and captivating aromas I've encountered from Compass Box. Truly exceptional! Palate: It begins with delightful honey and tropical fruit notes, transitioning to mild spice and rich breakfast pastry flavors, then intensifying with spice reminiscent of European sherry oak, leaving a long, lingering sweetness. Interestingly, despite numerous sherry mentions, the color is a pleasant gold rather than the expected red hues. However, I detect ample sherry perfectly integrated with classic Compass Box toasted oak notes. They've effectively imparted the richness and depth of a very mature whisky while transforming youthful spice into a feature rather than a flaw. Score: 3.75 - one of my favorite Compass Box releases in recent years. This whisky significantly outperforms expectations.

A very, very fruit-forward blend. Garden and orchard fruits like apricots, pears, and apples take center stage. They all seem incredibly sweet and perfectly ripe, yet are coated in honey for added sweetness. On the palate, this whisky resembles a sugary fruit confection with refreshing notes of garden-green pepper. The fruit influence is strong once more, but this time it leans towards the exotic – mango and passionfruit. The finish is gently warming and intensely honeyed.

Delightful aroma, very fresh, with tropical fruits and a light spice. It has a great medium body, with tannins, sherry characteristics, cinnamon, and cloves, leading to a lightly smoky, medium-short finish.

Pineapple notes with a very dry white wine aftertaste