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Compass Box Orchard House Review

Compass Box's Orchard House is a beautifully balanced blended malt that delivers on its promise of fragrant, crisp, and bright flavors. With its silky texture and orchard fruit character, it's an ideal gateway whisky for both Scotch newcomers and cider lovers.

OVERALL RATING

7
$33
  • Jeff, a UK-based whisky reviewer with a lighthearted approach.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Launched in 2021, Orchard House blended malt became Compass Box’s first core whisky which was built with fully matured, in house liquid, from the day of distillation. Providing their usual fantastic transparency, this blend is built from a mix of well regarded single malts like Linkwood, Clynelish, and Benrinnes, mostly aged in first-fill bourbon casks to give a flavour that lives up to the label.

Bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtration or added colour, it’s is often described as a gateway to the brand highlighting Compass Box’s transparent, flavour-driven style.
Appearance:
The liquid beautifully reflects the label with a russet yellow gold colour pairing with the Orchard fruit covered label.
Nose:
The aroma begins very light, fresh, and sweet with crisp pears and green apples. The sweetness starts to build with buttery shortbread and a newly opened jar of lemon and lime marmalade.

Beyond the sweeter notes there is a slight mustier wood aroma and the distinct smell of the first rain after a dry spell.
Palate:
The whisky initially arrives with a noticeably drier character with not quite ripe pears and a crisp, white wine. The texture has an impressively silky feel which carries the flavour well while avoiding feeling thin on the palate.

As it develops in the glass the orchard fruit notes deepen, bringing out a slightly fermented apple quality that edges toward that tart tangy richness of scrumpy cider. The creamy sweetness stays throughout akin to good quality vanilla ice cream, topped with freshly picked raspberries.
Finish:
A mid length finish leaves with a warm strawberries tarts and slightly bitter over brewed green tea.
Comments:
A fantastic summer whisky which I feel could lure in any cider lover to the Scotch Whisky side.

There is plenty of interest going through this liquid and it just highlights how beautifully balanced blended malts can be. This release not only visually matches the countryside label but lives up to the description of Fragrant, Crisp & Bright. Well worth a try.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

Based in the South West of the UK, Jeff brings an irreverent and laid-back approach to whisky reviewing, dispelling any notions of snobbery surrounding the spirit. With a genuine enthusiasm for exceptional drams, he often embraces the whimsical side of whisky. Jeff's tongue-in-cheek whisky content has earned him recognition in the Malt Whisky Yearbook, and he has contributed articles and reviews to numerous whisky platforms.

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