Review #16-17: anCnoc 12 and Compass Box Great Kings Street Glasgow Blend
Not Region Specific - NAS Blend - NCF - No Color Added - $40 - 43%
I went to a whisky event and Compass Box had a table there. I enjoyed trying their lineup and their "rebel image" but there wasn't any I tried that I thought I wanted to buy a bottle of either. The exception was the Glasgow blend, which is their ode to 19th century blends that the Scotts themselves would drink, meaning higher peat. The breakdown is 35% Cameronbridge, 34% Benrinnes, 17% Laphroaig, 8% Clynelish, 2% Miltonduff, and 4% Clynelish, Teaninich, and Dailuaine malts barreled and aged together.
Color - Pale Gold
Nose - Laphroaig iodine smoke, fruit, apples and figs
Taste - Vanilla, lime, bonfire smoke, cooked mash, nice mouthfeel for the ABV.
Finish - Medium Short - Dying campfire smoke, cigar ashes, lemon and porridge
Overall - 7 - This is a nice blend, well crafted to bring in sherry and peat in a well married manor. This is what I was hoping that Peat Monster would be. Instead Peat Monster is timid and the Glasgow Blend brings the peat to the forefront. It was also interesting how I got the typical Laphroaig peat on the nose, but then it turned much more to an ashy peat on the palate and finish.
anCnoc 12
Highland - 12 Year - Chill Filtered - Color Added - Sample ($50 at the local) - 43%
I know relatively little about this whisky beyond that it is pronounced "A - Nock". Pulling up their website gives little insight into the expression so on to the review.
Color - Jonquil
Nose - Lemon and honey, like a cough drop or Pledge, with a little bit of cereal underneath
Taste - Sweet lemons cakes, light bodied, more sweetness, meringue. This is a very mild whisky, nice, easy going.
Finish - Medium - Lemon drops and pastries, sweetness and dry.
Overall - 5.5 - Overall, I thought it was a nice scotch, but I don't think this is up my alley. It is very light in flavor and in body. It is one note, which isn't always bad, but it isn't a note I love. Maybe if the ABV was kicked up a notch or NCF, this would make this more my style. It is nice, easy going scotch and probably would have more appeal in the summer sitting on the balcony. To me, this what I would get somebody who liked those mild and fruity grocery store scotches as a nice gift or to keep on hand for a summer evening.
Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.
10 Best in Show
9 Great Dram for Special Occasions
8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection
7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood
6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5 I would drink it happily if offered
4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks
3 Maybe some soda will make this potable
2 I'll Pass
1 Toilet cleaner
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