Artist Blend and Glasgow Blend
Compass Box Scotch Whiskymakers have evolved their permanent collection and redesigned the labels for two of their popular, award-winning blended Scotch whiskies and simplified their names to: Artist Blend and Glasgow Blend.
Artist blend
Loyal fans of the previously named Great King Street collection need not worry as both expressions contain the same award-winning liquid.
When I first created these blended Scotch whiskies I was inspired by the writing of Aeneas MacDonald in his classic 1930 book, ‘Whisky’.
MacDonald wrote about the distinct differences in whisky taste between the citizens of Edinburgh and Glasgow. He also detailed what blended Scotch whisky recipes were like at the time. This was all hugely inspirational to me when I first created Artist Blend and Glasgow Blend and it made these whiskies, in effect, an homage to Scotland’s two biggest cities.
– John Glaser: Compass Box founder and creator
Internationally renowned and award-winning designers Stranger & Stranger have added their own creative twist to both labels, conveying the tale of the two cities and two whiskies through new labels that celebrate the diversity of thinking and originality of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The designs are a homage to blending’s golden age in the late 19th century when individuals used artistry, creativity, and craft to pioneer the world-famous spirit: blended Scotch whisky (which is defined as a blend of single malt and single grain whiskies from different distilleries).
Artist Blend (formally Great King Street Artist’s Blend)
A tribute to Edinburgh, the new label depicts an artist in front of the world-famous Scottish National Gallery and embodies the creative spirit of Compass Box.
Compass Box Founder, John Glaser, first created this whisky in 2011 and was inspired by 100-year-old recipes. This blended Scotch whisky has a higher proportion of single malt whiskies than is normally found in blends today, and is reminiscent of apple, salted caramel and baking spices. Artist Blend has a notably creamy mouthfeel and long finish.
A vibrantly fruity and creamy flavour profile complements the artistic endeavour and creative flair that the city is famous for. Artist Blend can be drunk neat, with a splash of water or on the rocks, and is versatile enough for cocktail creation or even a classic Highball.
RRP: £37 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 43%, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
– Available from: compassboxwhisky.com
Glasgow Blend (formally Great King Street Glasgow Blend)
Glasgow Blend
Conceived as a contrast to Artist Blend, it represents the bold, fearless and humorous personality of the Glaswegians. One of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks, the statue of the Duke of Wellington, which has had various traffic cones placed on its head for the past 30 years, is on the new label for Glasgow Blend as it is a symbol of the city’s sense of humour.
This is an old-school peaty blended Scotch whisky, originally created by John Glaser in 2014, that draws on an historical reference that Glaswegians have long preferred bigger, smokier whiskies.
With a high malt content, Glasgow Blend is full, bold and smoky on the palate and unites the rich spice and fruitcake-like notes of Sherry cask ageing with the maritime punch of Islay malt whisky.
Glasgow Blend can be poured into a tumbler or wine glass and enjoyed pre- or post-dinner, perhaps with a splash of water. The added weight of this bold blend brings extra depth to whisky-based cocktails.
RRP: £37 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 43%, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
– Available from: compassboxwhisky.com
These two versatile Compass Box whiskies, loved by bartenders around the world, can now take pride of place in home bars and are set to become the essential ingredient for home cocktail creation.
Compass Box is available to buy from these Merchants:-
- Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
- The Whisky Exchange
- Master of Malt
- The Little Whisky Shop
- Tyndrum Whisky
ABOUT COMPASS BOX
We are Scotch whiskymakers. This word ‘whiskymaker’ is our word – it does not appear in a dictionary. And for 20 years we have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. Of course, we have not done it on our own. We have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. We have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because we are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. Whiskies that just must be experienced. This vision motivates us as whiskymakers. Our blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry. Six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year. 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee, John Glaser, Founder of Compass Box.
JOHN GLASER, WHISKYMAKER
American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box, the boutique Scotch whisky blending house widely recognised in the industry for their innovative approach to the creation and enjoyment of whisky. John began his career on a path to become a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two blending rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrates its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue to take forward his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.
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