Compass Box Oak Cross Scotch Whisky
Compass Box Oak Cross Scotch Whisky is a blended malt Scotch whisky bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750mL bottle — and the remaining legacy stock is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA. Discontinued by the brand at the end of 2021, Oak Cross was Compass Box's hybrid-cask signature: Highland single malts finished in barrels built with American oak bodies and heavily toasted new French oak heads.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof) — natural colour, non-chill-filtered
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement
- Origin: Scotland — Highland single malts
- Production: First-fill American oak, then second maturation in innovative hybrid casks (American oak bodies + heavily toasted new French oak heads)
A Hybrid Cask You Can't Get Anymore
The name says it all: "Oak Cross" refers to the crossing of American and French oak. After the Scotch Whisky Association shut down Compass Box's original Spice Tree stave-insertion method, founder John Glaser's team built their own workaround — hybrid casks constructed with American oak bodies fitted with heavily toasted new French oak heads. Highland single malts first aged in first-fill American oak got a second maturation in these hybrids, marrying vanilla characters from the American oak with spicy, clove-like notes from the French oak. Per the brand's own copy, the component whiskies could no longer be sourced, and Oak Cross was discontinued from all markets by the end of 2021. The bottles that remain are legacy stock — a genuine collector's piece from Compass Box's most experimental era. Among Scotch whiskies, nothing else uses this cask program; the full Compass Box collection shows where the blender went next.
Tasting Notes
Rich and medium-bodied: vanilla characters from the American oak and spicy, clove-like notes from the French oak. Baked apple and pear fruitiness with a rich, toasty oak character.
How to Enjoy
Neat — this is a whisky to study, not to mix. A few drops of water will lift the baked-fruit notes against the clove-like French oak spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Oak Cross different from other Compass Box blends? Its hybrid casks — American oak barrels fitted with heavily toasted new French oak heads — combining vanilla (American oak) with clove-like spice (French oak).
Is Oak Cross a blended malt? Yes — a blended malt Scotch whisky made from Highland single malts, bottled at 43% with natural colour and no chill filtration.
Is Compass Box Oak Cross discontinued? Yes — per Compass Box's own copy, the component whiskies could no longer be sourced and it was discontinued from all markets by end of 2021. The store's listing is legacy stock.
Secure a bottle of Compass Box Oak Cross online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — discontinued stock, gone for good when it sells through.