Compass Box has been the most innovative whisky blender over the past 20 years - always pushing boundaries and making the older brands seem driven by marketing rather than taste or just dinosaurs shackled by tradition. Ironically, John Glaser the American entrepreneur behind Compass Box was actually the head of marketing at Johnnie Walker prior to starting the business, but understood that to succeed Compass Box had to put taste and innovation ahead of marketing. Juveniles is a Bistrot and bar in central Paris that has done a number of collaborations with Compass Box - this is the 4th Juveniles limited edition from 2018. Juveniles whisky is designed to be an unpeated blend that pairs well with food and wine and is fun and bright. It is a blend of 4 single malts - Clynelish, Glendullan, Balmenach and Strathmill. The bottle has a high punt at the base with a bell so you can actually ring the bottle.
Nose: A rich herbal aroma intertwined with bonfire smoke, evoking imagery of a seaside campfire. Notes of sea salt, struck matches, and subtle roasted orange peel linger behind the smoky veil.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a distinct oily texture. The high proof delivers a robust entry, blending sweet spices with peat, accented by a faint trace of sulfur.
Finish: Long and warming, with persistent ashy smoke and briny sea breeze. Hints of matchstick and a delicate iodine note round it out.
With Water: The aroma reveals pronounced wet sea salt and brine, with the smokiness softening into a rounder profile. Vanilla and oak emerge prominently. On the palate, the sweetness persists, with the peat becoming less intense, giving way to caramelized oak and fruit notes.
A gentle giant. This old grain whisky doesn’t try to shout, but it has plenty to say if you’re listening. A soft, elegant dram with aged sherry cask influence, balancing fruit, leather, oak, and just a whisper of tobacco. If you’re chasing subtle complexity over brute strength, this hits the mark.
A complex aged nose. Leather, dark chocolate mousse, dehydrated raspberries, canned peaches, and fermentation funk. Dark with tropical notes that bring it to life. To taste, mandarin syrup with spices; cloves and cinnamon. There’s an incense smokiness to the dram as well, bringing forward more rose and berry notes. A delightful example of an aged whisky, but potentially one that can be sourced for a slightly cheaper price. Claims of uniqueness can be a touch overrated, but still worth the experience.