Compass Box The Story of the Spaniard

A couple of years ago, Jean and I were visiting Boston. We stayed at a hotel along the North End Waterfront, easy walking distance to all of the fun places we wanted to visit, eat and enjoy while there.

One of the places I popped into a couple of times was a bottle shop called Boston Bottle. A small little adult beverage store somewhat reminiscent of the original JJ’s. Ecelectic, well stocked and wood racks all over the place.

At one point while visiting the shop with Jean, we, naturally, gravitated toward the Scotch section. In that little area we found some really interesting labels that I had heard of, but had never been able to acquire at JJ’s. The brand was Compass Box, and she immediately fell in love with the ornate labeling and flavor descripions and asked, “Why don’t we carry these?”

My answer was easy. We didn’t have a wholesale partner who could procure them for us. So we snagged a bottle that kind of stood out for her called Hedonism. A lush, creamy sip with notes of vanilla and pastry cream. That’s what the description read, so she immediately gravited toward that one. Plus the label was pretty cool.

When we returned from Boston, and in subsequent travels, I made a point to get my hands on more of the Compass Box whiskies as Jean was now a fan. One of the labels that I found for her was The Story of the Spaniard. And it immediately became a personal favorite of the collection.

Fast forward two years. I came to work one day back in November and saw sample bottles on the counter of all of the newly acquired Compass Box labels. Among those labels now being offered was The Story of The Spaniard. And it arrived just in time to make the cut for this year’s Spirited Holiday Countdown Calendar.

• Name: Compass Box The Story of the Spaniard
• Age: Indeterminate – But barrels in this blend were aged in mostly Spanish Sherry casks and Spanish red wine barrels from Macallan, Teaninich, Deanston, Glen Elgin, Clynelish, Dailuaine
• Country of Origin/Locale: Scotland by way of Richmond, VA
• Proof: 96.0
• Glass: Glencairn
• Temperature: Room
• Cocktail Options: One suggestion is below. Highball with Ginger Ale
• Available: Yes!
• Price: List Price – $99.99 JJ’s VIP Price – $79.99

Tom’s Tasting Notes: Folks who know me, know that I love me some sherry barrel whiskies. This spoke to me in many ways. Blended from three primary barrels of sherry barrel aged single malts and complemented by a number of other single malt whiskies to provide the intense flavor profile that is achieved in The Story of the Spaniard. This is a soft, full-bodied whisky with notes of citrus, wine-poached pear, and baking spices. Compass Box founder John Glaser and Master Blender James Saxon have revolutionized blended Scotch in the last two decades. Enjoy The Story of the Spaniard and look forward to a tasty Feature Flight with all of the current Compass Box whiskies in the near future.

Read More: Compass Box Whisky

Cocktail Suggestion: Highball with Ginger Ale

1.25oz of Compass Box The Story of the Spaniard
3.0oz Fever Tree Ginger Ale

Build in a collins glass with ice and garnish with a peel of lemon.