Compass Box The Spaniard Scotch Review

Compass Box The Spaniard
(Credit: Compass Box)

There is a new whisky in Compass Box’s core range. It is called The Story of The Spaniard and, you guessed right, it has a Spanish accent.

This new whisky was born from John Glaser’s experience in Spain a long time ago, when the Compass Box founder and whisky-maker traveled around the south of Spain, learning about Sherry and wine. The Story of the Spaniard is a vatted malt, created with whiskies that have been matured in Sherry and Spanish red wine casks. 

This is the first edition of The Story of the Spaniard and, thanks to Compass Box’s famed transparency, we can know all about the whiskies that compose it. 40% of this vatted whisky is an 11 year old Craigellachie matured in a Sherry butt. There is also a 25% of 9-year-old Taninich matured in Spanish wine casks. The blend includes also an 8% of 14-year-old Deanston, matured in refill Sherry butt and a great 7% of 15-year-old Deanston matured in refill hogshead.

Another 5% of this vatted is made by 18-year-old Glen Elgin, matured in re-charred barrels. The last 15% is a Highland blended malt, composed by Clynelish (60%), Dailuaine (20%) and Teaninich (20%). This blended malt has been matured for 9 years in toasted French oak barrels. 

So, in this first edition, The Story of the Spaniard is mostly composed by Sherry matured whiskies (48%) and Spanish red wine matured whiskies (25%). It has been bottled at 43% abv (86º proof), with natural color and without chill filtration.

The Scotch
On the glass, The Story of the Spaniard has a copper tone. On the nose it is light and soft. There are some apples and pears notes, accompanied by a citrus touch. These are followed by a lightly spicy touch, with cinnamon and toasted oak aromas. It evolves to winey notes, mostly Sherry notes but also a touch of red wine.

On the palate, The Story of the Spaniard has a nice body. Really fruity, we can find some pears in wine and cherries notes, with a discreet touch of lemon peel. There are also some sweet grape notes that melt with a honeyed touch. It is spicy, with clove and cinnamon notes. The finish is long and a little bit dry, highlighting the clove and pears in wine notes.

The Story of the Spaniard has a clear Spanish accent (and, being Spanish myself, I should know a thing or two about that). And if you can feel its Spanish accent is not for the barrels that it has been aged in (though they clearly provide the flavor), but for the strong red wine and sherry notes that you can find both on the nose and on the palate. 

It is a balanced whisky with winey notes that it is really easy to drink. You will surely like it if you like sherried whiskies and you are looking for something a little bit different.

The Price
The Story of the Spaniard is officially available in Europe and in the US.  It is retailed around €58 and £50. In the US you can find it around $65.