Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky
Compass Box Art & Decadence Blended Scotch Whisky is a limited-edition 49% ABV (98 proof) blended Scotch — 9,496 bottles, released November 2023 — built around three dessert-wine cask finishes. Whiskymaker James Saxon blended seven parcels across six distilleries, every one of them driven by sweet-wine wood: first-fill Oloroso, Port Dundas grain in refill sherry, Sauternes, Palo Cortado, Madeira, and Marsala. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 49% (98 proof); natural colour; not chill-filtered
- Size: 750mL (US import format)
- Edition: limited to 9,496 bottles; released November 2023
- Recipe (official): Glen Moray (first-fill Oloroso), Port Dundas grain (refill sherry), Balmenach in Sauternes / Madeira / Marsala, Linkwood (first-fill Palo Cortado)
- Concept: inspired by the Aesthetic/Decadent movement — a "dessert-course Scotch" by design
- Ratings: 94 — Whisky Advocate; 92 — Distiller
The Aesthetic Movement, in a Glass
Art & Decadence takes its name from the late-19th-century Aesthetic Movement and its Decadent offshoot — the Oscar Wilde era of "we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." The blending follows the same principle: three Balmenach parcels finished in dessert wines (Sauternes, Madeira, Marsala) layered over sherry-butt Glen Moray, Port Dundas grain, and Palo Cortado Linkwood. It is, by the brand's own positioning, the bottle to open "when the puddings, cakes, tarts, jellies, chocolates and cheeses emerge." Explore more Scotch whisky and the full range from Compass Box.
Tasting Notes
The official notes promise a rich, aromatic nose of red apples, waxed wood, and wine, with creamy liquorice and the banana-toffee-custard signature of Sauternes. On the palate: dried fruit — golden raisin, apricot, apple — with plenty of vanilla, lingering into dark chocolate and fragrant oak. Whisky Advocate's 94-point review calls it "a truly delicious blend."
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat after dessert — this is the bottle's stated purpose. A drop of water unlocks extra fruitiness (per the Whisky Advocate review). If you prefer it earlier in the evening, try it with a single cube; the 49% ABV carries the dilution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Art & Decadence a single malt?
No — it's a Blended Scotch Whisky: seven parcels across six distilleries, including Port Dundas single grain.
How many bottles were made?
9,496 bottles, released November 2023.
What casks does it use?
First-fill Oloroso butts, refill sherry butts, Sauternes, Palo Cortado, Madeira, and Marsala casks — every parcel is sweet-wine-cask driven.
Is it chill-filtered?
No — natural colour and not chill-filtered, per Compass Box.
Order Compass Box Art & Decadence online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — a limited dessert-course Scotch while the 9,496 bottles last.