Compass Box has launched its latest limited-edition Whisky, Menagerie. The new offering from the Scotch Whisky bottler is its “answer to the call of the wild.”
Compass Box Menagerie is a blend of single malts from four distilleries – Mortlach Distillery, Deanston Distillery, Laphroaig Distillery and Glen Elgin Distillery – combined with Compass Box’s Highland Malt Blend. To creat the blended Scotch, the team searched out Whiskies with a touch of the wild side to them.
“We have rounded up some of Scotland’s prized beasts, harnessing their subtle savoury characteristics in this new limited edition,” said the brand. “You’ll get the textures of worn leather and roast lamb from the leading parcel from Mortlach Distillery, malts from the Deanston Distillery bring animalic, forest floor aromas, while hints of the primordial tar pit come courtesy of two casks from the Laphroaig Distillery. Though a meaty or savoury quality could be discerned in each parcel, the whole composition revolves around gentle notes of toffee and roasted peach.”
For those familiar with Compass Box Whiskies, the brand recommends their latest offering for fans of their Myths and Legends III who want to know how a spicier version would feel on the palate. It’s recommended to be enjoyed with all manner of chocolates or, “to really experience the call of the wild,” the brands recommends pairing with a naturally fermented sour beer or a cold slice of game pie.
“Scotch whisky has a huge variety of flavour profiles,” said James Saxon, lead whiskymaker. “When whiskymaking, we pay attention to those parcels that deviate slightly from fruity, floral and spicy – ones that taste that little bit wilder than others. And it is these strange and beautiful creatures that we have brought together to create our Menagerie.”
Bottled at 46% ABV, Menagerie is non-chill filtered and currently available in the United Kingdom and Europe. Just 7,741 bottles will be released globally and are priced at £90 ($125 USD).
In November, Compass Box launched Magic Cask Whisky. The new limited edition blended malt Scotch from the independent bottler goes to show how “one cask in a blend of many can provide the touch of magic that allows the whole arrangement to sing,” explained Compass Box founder John Glaser.
