Compass Box The Circus

A big fan of exclusive bottlings from a certain blender. A kind acquaintance from the Boston area allowed me to try this rare blend without opening my own bottle. This expression was released some time ago and received excellent reviews; I'm delighted to finally taste it myself. This pour is dark gold and, consistent with the blender's style, contains no artificial coloring and is not chill-filtered. It exhibits substantial, oily legs and large droplets in the glass. Bottled at 49% ABV, it cost a significant amount upon release, and secondary market prices remain high, though it's harder to find now. The aroma initially offered abundant tropical fruits: zesty citrus, rich mango, and banana, accompanied by typical orchard fruits. Green apples and ripe pear slices dipped in honey led to pronounced florals and spices reminiscent of a particular bourbon producer. The oak recedes, leaving a taste like liquefied apple pie drizzled with a vanilla cream glaze. The palate feels light and quite juicy before becoming spicy midway. More tropical notes emerge before spice and pepper dominate. There's no sign of youthfulness or harshness; it's simply smooth and slightly dry. The finish delivers more sweet vanilla and a lingering juiciness that is highly desirable. It's long and mouthwatering, making me feel even thirstier. Unfortunately, I only had a small amount to savor before returning to something far less impressive. This is a superb dram, another fine demonstration of what a particular blender can achieve with exceptional whisky stocks. Checking their website for the components revealed little, suggesting they prefer to keep it somewhat secret, or perhaps I should have looked sooner. All that's listed are blend components and a specific distillery. Regardless, it's exceptionally good. While declaring it worth its high price might be debatable, that's a separate conversation. This is a 4.5-star whisky. Try it if you encounter a bottle; you won't be disappointed. My thanks again to the anonymous individual who shared it. I am indebted. Cheers.

Absolutely outstanding! This whisky is brilliant. The aroma is a dazzling, shifting display of fragrances. It presents a crisp, clean, dry sherry character, likely from both Oloroso and Fino, as the four elements comprising this blend were fully matured in sherry casks. A rich, varnish-like ethanol suggests aged wood and an average blend age of 25.53 years. The grain component exceeds 30 years in sherry, with individual parts having additional time in unspecified barrel types. As the experience evolves, a full spectrum of fruits and nuts emerges, creating a magnificent celebration. The blend is so appealing, it's difficult to pinpoint a single favorite element. This is followed by what seems to be hints of both bourbon and rye spiciness intertwined with honeyed vanilla. The complexity is astounding. If I've ever encountered a non-peaty whisky superior to this, I can't recall when. The naturally amber-colored spirit touches the palate with remarkable smoothness, belying its 49% ABV strength. It is a rich and luxurious fusion of all the elements described, concluding with an exceptional finish. I'm tempted to add a drop of water, but the thought of its scarcity makes me hesitant. I suppose I'll have to endure this delightful state until the next significant rainfall. Incredible, a 5-star rating!

Color: Deep Amber Smell: Exceptionally aromatic. Stewed dark fruits, plum, black raspberry, cassis, and a wine grape note, undoubtedly from the extensive time in sherry casks. Baked black cherry and a lighter citrus note, supported by butterscotch and toffee. Taste: The advanced age of the component whiskies is immediately apparent, featuring mature oak and barrel smoke, balanced by dark fruits and vanilla, with the intensity heightened by the higher ABV. Aftertaste: A grain whisky component is present in the finish, allowing it to conclude strongly but not overwhelmingly or cloyingly, harmonizing well with the oak and fruit notes to the very end. Overall: While certainly a high-priced whisky, it's an incredibly rich and deep spirit at any cost. Glaser once again showcases the blend of elegance and power, of complexity and depth, that can be achieved through thoughtful blending.

Masterful blending. It's that simple. I returned home after a week in the rainforests of Costa Rica and found a nice sample of this from a friend. After a week of only one pour (Glenfiddich Winter Storm) and daily consumption of various fruits and berries, this dram was a welcome change for my weary eyes and taste buds. I can't really put it into words... it's just a whirlwind of flavors... rich, oily, yet light and fruity. You definitely detect the sherry (seems like Oloroso), but you can also tell there's high-quality, well-aged grain in there, providing the fruity foundation. Why didn't I buy a bottle when it was easily available? You always know better in hindsight, but for now... I'm enjoying this.

Asked jokingly if they had a particular blend, and to my surprise, it was the latest rare offering from a known blender, hidden away. What a delight. A beautiful, lingering finish with sherry notes and a hint of spice, still present five minutes later as I ate smoked salmon. An amazing, inspiring performance. Sampled on June 15, 2016.

Acquired this bottle from a friend. It's remarkable, offering notes of raspberries, raisins, strawberries, blackberries, roses, vanilla, toffee, caramel, milk chocolate, sultanas, cherries, dates, white chocolate, pears, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, dates, plums, pepper, oranges, citrus, marshmallows, grass, almonds, hazelnuts, and cashews. It rivals others in its category.