Compass Box The Story of the Spaniard (75cl, 43%)

The Story of the Spaniard is a blended malt Scotch whisky from Compass Box, bottled at 43% in a 75cl bottle. It is natural colour and non-chill-filtered, made from malt whisky only, with no grain. It began as a bespoke whisky for a bar called The Spaniard in New York's Greenwich Village, and the name also nods to founder John Glaser's first encounter with sherry in southern Spain. First released in 2018, it is issued in batches. The whisky is matured in Spanish red wine casks, sherry casks and virgin French oak. The mix changes with availability, but sherry and wine casks are always part of it. Expect citrus peel, pears poached in red wine and spice on the nose and palate, followed by a long finish of vanilla panna cotta, berries and cherries.