Compass Box Menagerie

Some distilleries are renowned for their meatier spirit style; underneath the fruitiness or maltiness lurks something that is just a little bit animalic. Compass Box were inspired to search out malts with this touch of the wild about them – whether from their distillation or subsequent maturation - and bring them together in their Menagerie.

Malt whisky from the Mortlach Distillery is renowned for its complexity, but enthusiasts seek out its meaty side in particular. The parcel Compass Box have selected bursts with fruitiness, but underneath they found contrasting scents of worn leather and roast lamb.

To this they have added malt whiskies from the Deanston Distillery for their citrusy top notes and animalic, forest floor aromas. Their Highland Malt Blend - aged for a number of years in custom french oak barrels - lends a thrilling and brooding spiciness, while malt whiskies from the Glen Elgin Distillery bring exotic fruitiness and musky leather. Lastly, scents of the primordial tar pit come courtesy of malt whisky from the Laphroaig Distillery.

Rather than raucous zoo, bringing these specimens together has created harmonious flavours and textures. Gentle notes of spiced honey, toffee and roasted peach are the flavours on which Menagerie's wild creatures leap and soar.