Compass Box whisky - The Story of the Spaniard

Compass Box "The story of the Spaniard" is onlangs verkozen tot 'Beste Blended Whisky' tijdens The Dutch Whisky Awards 2019 op het Internationale Whisky Festival in Den Haag. Namens Bresser & Timmer en Compass Box whisky mocht Hans Bresser de award in ontvangst nemen.

The story of the Spaniard is een 'Blended Malt' bestaande uit 6 single malt whisky's. Samenstelling: 40% van een distilleerderij nabij Aberlour van sherry butt, 25% Teaninich van wijnvat, 8% Deanston van refill sherry butt, 7% Deanston van refill hogshead, 5% Glen Elgin van recharred barrels en 15 % Highland blended malt van zwaar getoaste vaten van Frans Eikenhout. Deze Highland blend bestaat uit 60% Clynelish, 20% Dailuaine en 20% Teaninich.

Tastingnotes Serge Valentin. whiskyfun.com. 87 points.

The Story of the Spaniard (43%, Compass Box, blended malt, 2018)
I find it a little surprising that they would have bottled this new expression at 43% vol. and not at 46. As the name suggests, there’s a good proportion of sherry casks inside.  Colour: light gold, so no big first fill wood. Nose: we’re very far from a sherry monster, this is rather a slightly buttery, pastry-ish malt with nice whiffs of oranges (several kinds) and apple pie, stewed apricots, a hint of rhubarb pie… and, well, more and more cooked rhubarb. Which I always enjoy! Mouth: excellent. I was a little afraid, but I was wrong. Maple syrup, honeys, oranges, more rhubarb, and just a touch of cherries. Morellos. The 43% vol. work well, actually. Finish: medium, rather on honeyed pastries. Baklavas and assorted oriental compadres. Comments: it appears that there is a lot of Clynelish inside this well-mannered blended malt, but I don’t think the famous Highlander is very dominant. Anyway, the chef seems to have stayed in the kitchen (I know what I’m trying to say). 
SGP:541 - 87 points.