This is a 10-year-old Whisky - Compass Box

Overview: The This is a 10-year-old Whisky - Compass Box at a glance

• Aged exactly ten years: All components have undergone ten years of maturation
• Highlands in focus: Clynelish makes up the largest share at 66.5%
• A three-part composition: Clynelish meets peated and unpeated Ardnamurchan malt
• Detailed transparency: Compass Box discloses the full composition
• Limited & natural: Only 3,610 bottles worldwide; no added coloring and non-chill filtered

Portrait: What makes the This is a 10-year-old Whisky - Compass Box special

There are whiskies that make a great mystery out of what is actually inside the bottle. And then there is Compass Box. 
The Scottish whisky icon likes to observe such conventions—and ask politely: "Does it really have to be so complicated?"

This blended malt, aged exactly ten years, is a prime example of the brand's philosophy. Compass Box has always stood for an unconventional approach to whisky and, above all, for one thing: transparency. Instead of hiding behind cryptic details, the brand reveals exactly what goes into this blend. No whisky secrecy, no smokescreens—just clear facts.

In this instance, the composition consists of three components of Scottish origin. Clynelish from the Highlands accounts for the largest share at 66.5%. This is complemented by peated and unpeated single malt from the relatively new Ardnamurchan distillery. All components were matured for exactly ten years in first-fill bourbon barrels. Here, "exactly" means precisely that—not "roughly ten," "almost ten," or "ten if you’re being generous."

The whisky makers behind this unusually open approach are Samuel Travers and Michael Stephenson. They view transparency not as a marketing gimmick, but as an integral part of Compass Box’s commitment to craftsmanship. And that fits the brand’s history: since its founding in 2000, Compass Box has been shaking up the world of Scotch whisky a little. Tradition is respected—but not necessarily followed blindly.

Visually, too, the brand stays true to its signature style. The distinctive label, with its handwritten look, creates the impression that the whisky maker personally signed it just before the bottles left the premises.

Incidentally, there aren't many of them: this edition is limited to just 3,610 bottles worldwide. It is bottled at a robust 50.5% ABV, without added coloring or chill-filtration.

In short: a whisky for those who like to know exactly what they’re drinking—and who appreciate a label that tells a story beyond just the name.

The whiskies used, in detail:
Clynelish Distillery Single Malt (66.5%), 1st-fill Bourbon Barrel
Ardnamurchan Distillery Peated Single Malt (20.2%), 1st-fill Bourbon Barrel
Ardnamurchan Distillery Unpeated Single Malt (13.3%), 1st-fill Bourbon Barrel

Batch size: 3,610 individually numbered bottles

Tasting Notes: This is how the This is a 10-year-old Whisky - Compass Box tastes like

• Nose: An elegant, floral bouquet in which delicate lilac blends with fruity notes of apple, pear, and quince. Soft vanilla aromas and rich caramel join in, adding depth and fullness to the nose.
• Palate: Creamy toffee and delicate vanilla cream define the opening on the palate. Ripe fruit notes complement the harmonious overall profile, while a subtle maritime smoke provides a precise contrast to the full-bodied sweetness. Powerful, creamy, and pleasantly balanced.
• Finish: The finish is long-lasting and smooth. Golden honey and vanilla linger before a characteristic note of beeswax defines the finale, ensuring a soft, textured conclusion.