Compass Box Vellichor

This Scotch is a blend comprising 12.1% Macallan aged in first-fill bourbon casks, 38.9% Highland Park in recharred hogsheads, 15.6% of a blended Scotch parcel in refill sherry, 29.3% of a blended malt parcel in refill sherry, and 4.1% Caol Ila in refill hogsheads. It is an no age statement expression, bottled at 44.6% ABV, and priced in the range of $400-500. This is the second-best bottle from Compass Box that I have bought, opened, and savored, surpassed only by the celebrated Flaming Heart 2015 edition. The considerable cost is justified, as this style of Scotch is rarely found on store shelves today. The term 'vellichor' refers to the nostalgic feeling book enthusiasts get from the scent of old, used bookstores. While I don't have a particular fondness for old books, I suppose I am a fan of aged Scotch whiskies, and this profile of leather, dust, and wood is one of my favorites. Typically, I would have to visit a well-stocked whisky bar, such as Jack Rose in DC or The Whiskey House in San Diego, and order an $80 pour from an old, obscure independent bottle to experience something similar, but now I can enjoy a pour from my own collection. This whisky lives up to its name: a dusty, leather-bound book is what you encounter on the nose, along with notes of apples, dark chocolate, and crème brulee. The palate offers the delicate and refined taste of old Macallan and Highland Park without the sherry influence—heather, honey, earth, dark chocolate, white pepper, vanilla, overripe orchard fruits, and an occasional hint of fig and balsamic vinegar. Despite the criticism Macallan often receives nowadays, the base spirit is distinctive and renowned; and a Macallan aged solely in bourbon casks is uncommon, underestimated, and allows the spirit to express itself more vibrantly than the typical sherry-matured versions. I'm not claiming that if presented blind, I could definitively identify Macallan, but its presence in this blend is not surprising, and the Macallan contributes to a distinctive Compass Box release. The leather notes return, and the peat from the Caol Ila makes its presence known towards the end of the palate and during a lengthy, intricate finish. Each sip requires a prolonged hold in the mouth to fully appreciate the experience; this is not a whisky that demands immediate attention, but rather one that warrants it. I once sampled this whisky blind alongside a Hazelburn 21 and a Springbank 21, both of which are dusty yet bright and fruity. I preferred this one the most, by a significant margin. Springbank 21, currently, is a $1000 bottle on the shelf. Therefore, even at $500 for Vellichor, if the idea of being transported to a time when a bookstore was the primary source of information and people faced hardships like dysentery on the Oregon Trail appeals to you, this is a worthwhile and magical experience. In fact, it feels slightly inappropriate for me to be writing a review on something you are likely accessing through an app on your smartphone—I should truly be composing this review with ink on parchment.

I believe the contents have been well-documented. So, shall we begin? Nose - For me, this presents as quite classic Compass Box, with a very aged character and not much else. I find the low alcohol content to be a significant concern. Notes of yellowed paper, leather, and perhaps old wood shelving? I can't say I'm detecting that specifically. There's definitely some leather. A few musty notes, but I'm just thinking vanilla from bourbon barrels. Maybe that's just my perception. Does the grain truly come through, or is that the Macallan from first-fill bourbon? Who knows. Some hints of red fruits and vague chocolate are also present. It's truly just a well-aged and balanced whisky; you'd never guess it was a blend. The peat is minimal. Taste - The proof simply doesn't hold up at the initial stage. Very nice creamy vanilla, white fudge. Quite straightforward initially. After swallowing, the mouth is coated with rich, OLD WORLD whisky. There are MANY elements of older Highland Park emerging. Good touches of heather honey and light peat. Rich old oak notes. Adding water doesn't seem to alter it significantly. I used a light pour and minimal water, so that's a factor. A slight reduction in the oak and leather on the nose, a mild shift towards more vanilla. Similar changes in the taste. A rich, aged whisky, subdued by time, and not worth the price for most enthusiasts. This is a whisky for a Macallan fan who accepts their pricing and is content to pay it. Nevertheless, it's a good product. Rated 3.0 solely based on the finish. At this weight and body, it really should be closer to a 2.0.

This is not a review, but rather a listing of the components and their volume percentages: 23-year-old Macallan, first-fill bourbon, 12.1% 25-year-old Highland Park, re-charred hogsheads, 38.9% 25-year-old blended Scotch, refill Sherry butt, 15.6% 25-year-old blended malt, refill Sherry butt, 29.3% 37-year-old Caol Ila, 4.1%, refill hogsheads It's impressively aged. However, nearly 50% is their own blend. It's nice to see a well-aged Macallan and Highland Park included, and in significant proportions.

Good, very smooth and definitely oily. The nose is sweet, floral, refreshing, with notes of lemon, caramel, peach, caramel, and aged wood(?). It's tough to give a top score because the alcohol content should have been higher to produce a more explosive nose, taste, and finish. This whiskey is quite mellow; it keeps bringing back old memories (The finish is interesting – not strong, but very long, making me want another sip).

Let's disregard the price point for a moment, as another reviewer mentioned. It’s an old, robust, and floral whisky with specific distilleries taking center stage. It’s really nice, but there was a lot of oak that has been well balanced, but as a whole, the whisky doesn’t quite reach greatness. Damn delicious, though, and only let down by the finish.

Pleasant aroma, red berries, subtle caramel notes; enjoyable, though unremarkable.