Compass Box Vellichor is a limited edition blended Scotch whisky built from exceptionally old parcels, including a 25-year-old Highland Park, a 23-year-old Macallan and a 26-year-old blended malt. Its name comes from a word for the wistfulness of old bookshops, and the whisky was created to capture that mood. It is bottled at 44.6% ABV, non-chill filtered and with natural colour, and only 3,246 bottles were released.
Compass Box is celebrated for its transparency, and the full recipe is published: 38.9% Highland Park from recharred hogsheads, 29.3% blended malt from refill sherry butts, 15.6% blended Scotch from refill sherry butts, 12.1% Macallan from first-fill bourbon barrels and 4.1% Caol Ila from refill hogsheads. The small share of Caol Ila adds a delicate but persistent thread of peat through the older, fruit-rich components.
The nose carries hints of leather, polished furniture and the crackling dustiness of decades-old pages, with cookie dough, almond paste and spruce. The palate is stacked with sumptuous malty notes, tropical fruit and sherry character, earthy peat drying into vanilla sponge, nutmeg and milk chocolate, and the finish brings peppermint and chocolate. Whisky Advocate awarded it 94 points.
The bottle is wrapped in collage artwork of old book pages and an etched portrait, and it comes in a linen-textured presentation box. It is a beautiful gift for a reader, a whisky lover, or both.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Leather, polished furniture and old book pages, with cookie dough, almond paste and spruce.
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Palate: Sumptuous malt, tropical fruit and sherry, with earthy peat drying into vanilla sponge, nutmeg and milk chocolate.
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Finish: Peppermint and chocolate, with a delicate, persistent peatiness.
Specifications
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Producer: Compass Box
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Style: Blended Scotch Whisky
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Expression / Batch: Vellichor Limited Edition, 3,246 bottles
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Age: Includes 23- to 26-year-old components
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Proof / ABV: 89.2 proof (44.6% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Recharred hogsheads, refill sherry butts, first-fill bourbon barrels and refill hogsheads
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Region: Scotland
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Size: 700ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat in a nosing glass and take your time, as the older components unfold slowly; a drop of water brings out the tropical fruit. It pairs with dark chocolate, almond biscotti or a quiet evening with a good book, and makes a thoughtful gift for a collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Compass Box Vellichor?
Highland Park, a blended malt, a blended Scotch, Macallan and a little Caol Ila, with the full recipe published by Compass Box.
How many bottles were made?
3,246 bottles.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 44.6% ABV, non-chill filtered and with natural colour.
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