Compass Box Artist's Blend Scotch Whisky
Compass Box Artist's Blend Scotch Whisky is a blended Scotch whisky bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750mL bottle — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA. A tribute to Edinburgh designed for bartenders and malt enthusiasts, it is built on a fully published recipe: every component distillery, cask type and percentage is disclosed by the blender.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof) — natural colour, non-chill-filtered
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement
- Origin: Scotland
- Composition: ~55% single malt (Linkwood, Clynelish, Balmenach, Highland Malt Blend) + 45% Cameronbridge single grain; first-fill bourbon barrels with a Palo Cortado sherry-seasoned component
The Blend That Shows Its Work
Compass Box was founded in 2000 by American John Glaser, an ex-UDV marketing director who set out to drag Scotch blending into the open. The company publishes the full recipe of every whisky it makes — and Artist's Blend is the flagship example: 45% Cameronbridge single grain and 22% Linkwood single malt in first-fill bourbon barrels, 10% each of Balmenach and Clynelish single malt, an 8% Highland Malt Blend finished in custom French oak with a medium toast, and 5% Linkwood revatted in a Palo Cortado sherry-seasoned butt. The result is inspired by 100-year-old blend recipes, designed for the Highball and the Penicillin alike. Among Scotch whiskies, few blenders are this transparent — explore the full Compass Box range to see how the other blends compare.
Tasting Notes
Apple, salted caramel and baking spices, with a notably creamy mouthfeel and long finish. The first-fill bourbon casks bring vanilla, toffee and pastry cream; the Palo Cortado component adds red apple, sultana and banana.
How to Enjoy
Built for cocktails: a Scotch Highball over big ice with quality soda is the house serve. It is also a pleasure neat — the creamy texture carries the 43% beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Artist's Blend a blended malt or blended Scotch? Blended Scotch — about 55% single malt (Linkwood, Clynelish, Balmenach, Highland Malt Blend) and 45% single grain from Cameronbridge, per Compass Box's published recipe.
What does Compass Box Artist's Blend taste like? Apple, salted caramel and baking spices with a creamy mouthfeel and long finish; natural colour and non-chill-filtered at 43%.
Is Artist's Blend good for cocktails? Yes — Compass Box designed it with bartenders in mind and specifically recommends it for a Scotch Highball and other whisky cocktails.
Order Compass Box Artist's Blend online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — transparency you can taste.