Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blend (43.0%): I know I am pretty late for this post... Almost everybody tasted and reviewed Artist's Blend months ago. It is another unique blend from John Glaser dedicated to revive the interest in blended Scotch whiskies they deserve. Great King Street contains 51.4% Lowland grain, 46.4% Northern Highland single malt and 23.2% Speyside single malt whiskies which are matured in 62.3% first fill American and 27.7% new French oak barrels and 10% first fill sherry butts. To be honest I tasted it very early even before it hit the shelves and many times later but didn't have a chance to spend some quality time with it. Finally this weekend I managed to sit home alone peacefully with the sample tube I got during Great King St. Cocktail Competition, a tasting glass and my laptop in front of me. So, here is what I think about Great King St.: Color: Hay, pale linden tea. Nose: Beautiful young grain whisky. Incredibly fruity and sweet: Green pears, pineapple and nectarine with vanilla, coconut flan and lemon meringue pie. Fresh cut grass and calm, warm sea spray. A few drops of water amplifies citrusy and grassy aromas. Lemon zest, clementine peel and lemongrass. Palate: Such a gentle and delicate whisky. First notes are creamy and sweet: Flower honey, vanilla cream and marzipan. Then some sourness and a touch of spiciness fill in with green apples and white pepper. Adding water made the mouthfeel meaty and brought the grainy character more forward but didn't add too much like it did for the nose. Finish: Medium long with bitter and salty notes: Lightly salted cashews and salted caramel. Overall: One of the best price to value ratios on the market. It is definitely not the most sophisticated Scotch of the year but a very pleasant and easy going whisky. Great example to introduce to people who think that Scotch whisky is not for them. Perfectly serves its mission... Even so I still don't understand why they are pushing so hard to drink it with soda or in cocktails. I really enjoyed it neat. A great everyday dram...
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