Review #170 - Compass Box The Nectar 10th Anniversary
Bottled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belgian spirits importer 'The Nectar,' this Compass Box blend was a very limited release: just 660 bottles. There has been another bottling now, for the 15th anniversary - it's very possible that we'll see a 20th anniversary bottle in a few years.
This is actually a blended malt, not a blend - all of the whiskies used to make it are malts from Scottish distilleries. In an unusual move for blended whisky, we actually know the makeup of this bottle: the distillate came from Ardbeg, Clynelish, Dailuaine, and Teaninich. Quite a mix of quality single malts, and we're expecting some weight in the mouthfeel due to a couple of the inclusions.
The casks used for aging were relatively simple: an American standard barrel, presumably ex-bourbon, and a virgin French oak barrel. That French oak might add some spice, but we're expecting a nice focus on the base spirits due to the lack of wine casks or other exotic finishing oak.
Compass Box The Nectar 10th Anniversary
Scotland - Blend
Current Locally Available Price: USD 460 (2023)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 46% ABV
Cask Makeup: American standard barrel, new French oak
Details: Bottled October 2016; blend of Ardbeg, Clynelish, Teaninich, and Dailuaine; not chill filtered, no color added, 660 bottles
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 3 months; bottles at 80%, 70% (blind tasting), and 60% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Deep and rich, with a medium level of peat - seaside peat, with seaweed and a slight medicinal character - very measured. Wood smoke and salinity accent the peat, before we get into soft red and orange fruits; baking spices come in the form nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Palate: A nice, solid character to the spirit - the mouthfeel is medium-thick, and the peat smoke from the nose grows stronger into the palate. Lots of hot peppers and rich, warming oak, but it's all well balanced and almost restrained. Sweet and sour lime fruit, vanilla, and dry hay all appear later.
Finish: Medium-long in length, with a decent amount of peat and dry wood, which adds pepper and spicy red pepper flakes. There's sweetness, too: creme brulee, and sweet peppers, but this leans a bit toward the dry side; a hint of youth and more savory notes linger in the aftertaste.
Final Note: What a well-balanced, elegant whisky. Peat is definitely a strong theme - Ardbeg must have been used in no small proportion, but it's never overwhelming, and it leaves space for the subtle fruit and plentiful spice flavors to come in. We love the distilleries that were used in this blend, and they've been allowed to showcase their strengths.
Because this was such a limited bottling (for the Belgian market), and the release was seven years ago, prices are quite hefty - value can't be too good. Then again, it probably doesn't matter at this point - bottles are very hard to find.
Our Average Rating: 8.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 4.17
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