One of the Compass Box whiskies I sampled recently at La Maison du Whisky in Singapore was the playful Compass Box Juveniles.

Juveniles sampled at La Maison du Whisky (Whisky Lady)

Here is what I found:

• Colour – Light straw
• Nose – Sweet, fruit with plums and pears, a touch of vanilla… after the first sip, takes on an even sweeter overripe fruit dimension
• Taste – A little spicy with cinnamon, cardamon and perhaps a little cumin, herbal with sage and thyme, delicate
• Finish – Light and sweet, doesn’t scamper off immediately but remains teasing
• Overall – Delightfully playful

This is a clear example where the marketing and whisky character are a perfect match. The green juvenile joker on the label is spot on with the whisky – joking, teasing, chortling its way around your palate. This is no mature robust serious complex dram, it is unabashedly effervescent and fun.

The original bottling was exclusively for the Juveniles Bistro a vins in Paris and I understand it had a stronger character yet still in keeping with a light convivial atmosphere. However its popularity lead to Compass Box creating a 20 year anniversary edition and now a limited retail version.

The one I sampled was bottled in September 2014, part of 1,806 bottles and contains whiskies sourced from Glen Elgin (apparently 15 year) and Clynelish (thought to be 9 year) distilleries, aged in American oak barrels.

Compass Box Juveniles (Whisky Lady)

We’ve so far enjoyed the following Compass Box :

• Asyla 40% – A beautiful woman – light, soft fruits and perfume delight
• Great King’s Cross Artist’s Blend & Glasgow Blend 43% – Two contrasting ends of a well crafted spectrum from citrus spice to smokey sweet
• Hedonism 43% – Unusual, lots of coconut oil and one you grow to love or simply cannot connect with… however clearly unforgettable
• Juveniles 46% – Uncomplicated, sprightly and playful
• Spice Tree 46% – Think roasted spices with zest à la chilli chocolate…
• The Peat Monster 46% – No hairy scary monster, it is rich peaty and surprisingly well-balanced

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