Compass Box’s New Orchard House Whisky Is Fruit Forward, Spirit Driven

Independent Scotch whisky bottler Compass Box’s newest offering is Orchard House, described as being mostly new whisky spirit aged by the brand that was sourced from distilleries known for fruit forward flavors.

Coming in late September, Orchard House is bottled at 92 proof and sells for a suggested retail price of £42.

Compass Box Orchard House (image via Compass Box)

Commenting on the new addition to their core range, John Glaser, founder of Compass Box, said in a prepared statement, “Orchard House is our first core range whisky produced almost entirely from whiskies we have aged since the day they were distilled. In a sense, it’s more ‘our whisky’ than anything we’ve made before. We are so proud of this. Something new, something different for us. Something joyful. And delicious.”

Compass Box’s blender’s notes for Orchard House shows the malt whisky delivers notes of apples, pears, peach, pineapple, Earl Grey tea and peat on the nose. Followed by notes of apple juice, banana, honey, strawberry and peat on the palate.

Lead whisky maker, James Saxon, explained the make-up of Orchard House as:

2% – Highland Malt Blend

Custom French Oak Barrel – Heavy Toast
Blended Malt
Chocolate, Cinnamon, Ginger

2% – The Caol Ila Distillery

First Fill Bourbon Barrel
Single Malt
Smoke, Almond, Vanilla

20% – The Benrinnes Distillery

First Fill Bourbon Barrel
Single Malt
Fudge, Apples, Malt

8% – Distillery near the town of Aberlour

Revatted Oloroso Sherry-Seasoned Butt
Single Malt
Red Apple, Sultana, Malt

29% – The Clynelish Distillery

First Fill Bourbon Barrel
Single Malt
Apple, Wax, Honey

39% – The Linkwood Distillery

First Fill Bourbon Barrel
Single Malt
Apple Blossom, Vanilla

It is non-chill filtered and of natural color, being seen by the brand as “an outstanding pre-dinner malt. It will ably partner amber and pale ales, as well as swathes of soft cheeses.”