Compass Box The Double Single

How can I start discussing this straightforward Compass Box creation: The Double Single? Well, it took me almost two-thirds of the bottle to truly appreciate its nuances. Perhaps it was me, palate fatigue, or just the changing seasons and early darkness of winter... who knows. It simply took me some time to connect with it. And I'm not sure I fully did. Here's the breakdown: CBW aims to demonstrate they can craft a remarkable blended whisky using just two simple components – a well-aged single malt and a mass-produced single grain. The single malt is 19-year-old Glen Elgin, comprising 72% of this blend. The remaining 28% is grain whisky from Girvan. It's bottled at 46% ABV, is non-chill filtered, and contains no artificial coloring, as is typical for Compass Box. It has a beautiful champagne gold color and forms thin, fast-moving legs in the glass. It doesn't seem very oily. The nose is dominated by green apples coated in salt and toffee, with a subtle hint of light oak alongside the orchard fruitiness. There's no noticeable alcohol or general spirit presence. It's light and pleasant. Your palate is greeted by what initially reminded me of Wrigley's Double Mint gum. There's spearmint and menthol that gives way to apples and cereal malt. It has a salty sensation as it dries on the tongue and begins to warm you as any spirit should, but it never felt smooth or oily. I'd describe it as abrasive, but in a neutral or positive sense. The finish is long and filled with spices that reinforce the salty, dry feeling you get right after brushing your teeth. You can actually feel the alcohol drying and evaporating from your tongue. It's very vibrant. Overall, considering only the two simple ingredients (as the maker likely intended), I would have to acknowledge it as a wonderful creation. However, viewing it as a complete CB whisky experience (as I prefer to), I find it falls short of making a statement, unlike most other CBW whiskies, in my opinion. If I factor in the steep price of $155, then I believe deductions are warranted. It's a commendable effort with an unjustified price tag. I wouldn't repurchase this bottle because you can find many other blends that offer more satisfaction for significantly less. This isn't a failure, but it's not a success for me. 3.75 stars. Cheers, friends. Happy New Year as well. Here's to 2018!

My reviews show my thoughts on most Compass Box whiskies: they have top-tier marketing and attractive bottles, but they don't meet my standards. There are exceptions, such as "No Name" and others I can't recall. This bottle costs $180, and like all CB expressions, it's not a bad drink, but is it worth that much? It's bottled at 46% ABV with a golden hue. This is a blend called "the double single" because it contains one Single Malt, Glen Elgin, and one Single Grain Whisky, Girvan. While not the most imaginative name, let's examine its aromas and flavors. On the nose, it's possibly the fruitiest whisky ever. Given this dram is 78% Glen Elgin, it strongly suggests Speyside. It begins with a fresh yet subtle orange scent. Elegant vanilla. Refined but muted citrus notes. Very fruity with green apples. Allowing it to breathe reveals an incredible fruitiness, very clean and juicy. Fresh fruits, very floral; there's absolutely no sign of alcohol. It smells like a fruit market. It's not particularly diverse or complex, just appealingly fruity. Orange juice, apples, super fresh. A lovely aroma; when I first started nosing, I was going to rate it a 19. It scores a 24 out of 25. Palate is adequate. It retains most of the fruitiness and delivers ample vanilla flavors from the grain whisky. Cider and a pleasant oak spice. A second taste brought out vanilla cream; there's a nice spiciness throughout. This complements the apple flavor well. The vanilla becomes more sophisticated with each sip. Aftertaste is also decent, nothing extraordinary. Macerated fruit liqueurs, apples. It's fresh but straightforward. Perhaps a hint of tobacco on my third sip. Some faint peat. Overall, I have mixed feelings. I want to be clear: this is NOT worth $180; a $75 price point would be appropriate. It is NOT a bad whisky, but it's also not memorable. I believe CB wasn't lying when they said the sum of its parts should create a better whisky, as I think this is superior to a single malt from Glen Elgin and definitely from Girvan, which isn't a favorite of mine. For $160, I could get a Glendronach 18yo, which might be the best whisky available, so that's a consideration. Nevertheless, regardless of cost, I believe this is an 82 out of 100 whisky, primarily due to its excellent aroma; the rest is just standard.

From a bonus sample provided by a friend in our SDT group. This is called The Double Single as it combines one single malt (Glen Elgin - 72%) and one single grain (Girvan - 28%). It's bottled at 46% ABV, is non chill filtered, and has natural color, like all CBW releases. This expression presents as yellow gold. The aroma begins with lemon zest and baked lemon bars, accompanied by abundant vanilla and toffee. There's a hint of butterscotch. Candle wax becomes increasingly noticeable, reminiscent of hot wax dripping onto an unvarnished wood table. Heather honey, floral, and herbal notes emerge. Subtle fruitiness like apricots and peaches with cream appears, along with faint white grape juice. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are present. The scent concludes with oranges dusted in cocoa powder. The initial taste is somewhat weak with lemon, but it rapidly shifts to a thoroughly waxy sensation, much like chewing on wax bottle candies filled with syrup, but with scotch. It then becomes fruity with pears, apricots, and peaches. Soft vanilla, toffee, and caramel notes are detected, alongside a bit of toasted oak and coconut milk. Occasional menthol and a pine needle character are present. A slight grain alcohol sensation is noticeable but not overly unpleasant. The waxiness pervades everything. A medium-light body offers a slightly oily, dry, and mouth-coating feel. The finish is medium-long, quite dry, with flavors of waxy lemons, grain, and floral notes. The team at CBW has once again created something exceptional by blending two components into a harmonious whole. Unlike their bolder expressions such as Peat Monster or Flaming Heart, this whisky is elegantly simple. It's the waxiest spirit I've ever encountered, making it exceptionally distinctive. This would be an excellent choice for a relaxed early summer drink while listening to a baseball game. At $155, I question its value, though limited releases (only 5838 bottles) often carry premium prices. It might not astound you, but it will bring you contentment if you allow it. My thanks again to the provider. A solid 4. Cheers

Happy hour. It's 16 degrees outside. The fire is dying down from the afternoon. Music is playing. I grabbed a Double Single to warm up. A subtle, delicate, earthy, and funky nose. Lemon shortcake, vanilla, caramel. It's somewhat reminiscent of a lemon Halls cough drop. Honey, heather, and a pinch of cinnamon powder. Some fruity notes of pears and apricots. It's packed with aromas. It evokes spring, even on this frigid evening. A sweet start with white sugar. Medium body that isn't oily (lacking the right word for that quality). Oak and lemon zest. Waxy, candle-like notes with honey, vanilla, white pepper. These are good and well-balanced flavors. A warming ginger spice finish. Slightly drying oak and a lemon bitterness. The waxy notes linger from the palate. A minty note emerges at the end of the finish. There was a time when Johnnie Walker, Chivas, or Dewars were the standard, old-school blended whiskies. Compass is the new school blend. John Glaser and his team are pushing boundaries and crafting dynamic, enjoyable, and inspiring whiskies. The Single Double is a fine example; their care and quality are exceptional. I find their blends superior to most Single Malts I've encountered. Their only drawback, like most, is producing whisky at an accessible price. The Single Double: A great, enjoyable whisky. Thanks to a friend for providing this excellent sample. [90/100][Tasted: 12/28/17]

You really have to commend the distillers. They produce fine blends, significantly advance transparency, and offer everything from excellent entry-level options to super-premium ones. Of all their offerings, the only one I wouldn't revisit would be the orange-flavored one. Apart from that citrus-flavored mess, every other one is good to amazing. This particular one falls squarely in the "good" category. They've made a statement that they can create a fine blend using just two simple ingredients. And it is indeed a fine blend, with a citrus-forward nose and a woody vanilla waxiness on the palate. But at $150...I'm questioning if it's truly that good. It's just my opinion, but the 'No Name' was essentially all young Ardbeg at $100. This is primarily Glen Elgin at well over $150. I'm finding that this producer makes excellent core ranges, but their recent limited special releases might be overpriced for what they provide. It's a good product, and definitely something I would have again, but I'm not sure I'd purchase it for $150. Also, interestingly, as transparent as they are, I could be mistaken, but I don't believe they've disclosed the age statements of the two components. Honestly...for $150, I want to know the age.

Let's be bold, my friends. The mention of Girvan is intimidating, and this offering contains 28% of that waxy whisky. On the nose, I detect sawdust, brine, potato, and very subtle vanilla. It's not bad, but not particularly noteworthy. The palate was much better than anticipated. The Girvan isn't the main focus here, so its waxiness merely aids the pleasant mouthfeel. There are notes of buttery pears, apple, and vanilla, but no smoke, spices, or any complex character. This would be better suited for summer, and it's a solid drink. The finish is medium length, with notes of salt and vanilla, but it's dry. Let's add a couple drops of water to see if anything else emerges. The aroma becomes even more muted, and the palate is similar, but the burn was somehow more intense. If you desire a bright and light Compass Box, this is it, but I require something more. I rate this a 3.75. The theme for this glass could be the shimmer pop story. How about 'Move' by Saint Motel.