Source the highest quality oak direct from the world’s leading cooperages.
We work with a range of partners in the US, France and Spain to find the best oak for every whisky we produce.
‘Whiskymaker’ is a word we invented – you won’t find it in any dictionary. To us, a Whiskymaker is someone who feels compelled to make things better - to ask questions, to challenge, to experiment. A Whiskymaker is different from a distiller, and more than a blender.
When it comes to whisky and the joy it brings, we keep our minds open to new possibilities. We are excited by new production processes, new combinations of flavours, new ways of sharing and enjoying great whisky. There is so much there to discover.
As Whiskymakers, we work with a world of equally passionate partners to explore the interaction between maturing Scotch whisky and oak over time. From sourcing the best cooperage oak in the world from the Vosges forest of France and the woods of Missouri, to individually sampling almost every cask we use in each of our blends, we are fanatical about quality. We believe that every detail at every stage of the process has the potential to add something magical to the finished blend.
When creating our whiskies we:
At its simplest, Scotch whisky, often simply called Scotch, is whisky made in Scotland in a manner specified by law. The laws governing its production and maturation make it different from every other whisky produced elsewhere in the world.
Distilled in a pot still from malted barley
Distilled in a continuous still typically from wheat or corn, with a small amount of barley
Casks of single malt and single grain whiskies blended together.
Casks of single malt whiskies from more than one distillery blended together.
Casks of single grain whiskies from more than one distillery blended together.
Malt whisky from a single distillery. Usually, casks of malt whisky from the single distillery blended together. Less commonly, single cask bottlings.
Grain whisky from a single distillery. Usually, casks of grain whisky from the single distillery blended together. Less commonly, single cask bottlings.
At Compass Box, we make all three types of blends.
We believe that by bringing together single malt and single grain whiskies of the highest quality it is possible to create textures, flavours and pleasures that no solitary whisky can attain.
At its simplest, Scotch whisky - often simply called Scotch - is whisky made in Scotland. The laws governing its production and maturation make it different from every other whisky produced elsewhere in the world.
In this collection of videos, our Founder and Whiskymaker John Glaser explores surprising truths and misconceptions about Scotch whisky, as well as introducing some of our company’s core beliefs.
Is an old whisky always better than a young one? What role does toast level and charring play in the creation of flavour? How should you drink Scotch whisky? Press play to find out all this and more…
Back in 2000, John Glaser was working for a large UK distiller when he realised that there was so much that hadn’t yet been explored in the world of Scotch whisky. An American living in London, he decided to do something refreshingly different and bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people in exciting new ways.
So, he started Compass Box, an inventive company based on the long-lost model of the Scotch whisky blending house, but with a forward-looking approach and an unrelenting desire to create deliciousness.
Originally working from his kitchen, Compass Box has grown over the years and now has two dedicated Blending Rooms in London. We have our own stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland and a team of over 15 hugely enthusiastic whisky-lovers. We believe Scotch whisky is one of the world’s great drinks. With more spectrum of flavour and style than any other spirit, it has incredible capacity to delight both newcomers and discerning devotees. Which is what we aim to do with every bottle we create.
Join us on this exciting journey of deliciousness, and let’s share and enjoy our discoveries together. Be sure to also sign up to our newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest news.