Compass Box Announces New Core Collection, Featuring 2 New Whiskies

Since its founding in 2000, Compass Box has had plenty of big announcements and tons of game-changing releases, like Hedonism, the grain whiskey that launched the company, the controversial Spice Tree in 2005, and the Extinct Blends Quartet, which got its fourth and final member, Celestial, earlier this year. But 24 years in the making, the company might have just made its biggest announcement yet: the introduction of a new Core Collection of whiskies.

This is the first big release since the installation of James Saxon as their new whiskymaking director. This new core range has been pared down to four key Scotch whiskies, with each whisky navigating the diverse flavor territories within the category. Fan favorites The Peat Monster (first released in 2003), an intensely smoky blended malt, and Orchard House (2021), a fruit-forward blended malt, remain, with two new whiskies added to the collection in Nectarosity and Crimson Casks.

Nectarosity is a blended Scotch; custom toasted and charred virgin oak from Missouri is sourced and then used twice, first to house grain new make spirit from Girvan Distillery for a year, then malt new make spirit from Clynelish Distillery for 6 to 8 years. The blend also includes whiskies matured in first-fill bourbon and Palo-Cortado sherry-seasoned casks. The result is a blend packed with vanilla, honey, coconut, and caramel notes, backed by a fruity, juicy richness. In many ways, it evokes the aroma and flavor of high-end patisseries.

Meanwhile, Crimson Casks is designed to showcase the transformative power of Oloroso sherry casks. Compass Box works closely with family-owned sherry producer Jose y Miguel Martin to source their casks from Jerez, Spain. Several malts are matured in the Oloroso sherry casks, creating a blended malt with an intense, wine-derived richness and hint of sweetness, leading to an enticing, spicy finish.

All the whiskies in the Core Collection are a natural color, not chill-filtered, and bottled at 46% ABV. Prices range from $55 to $75 MSRP. This exciting foursome was released in the UK in late July and is set to come out in the U.S. starting on September 1st.

Learn more here.