Compass Box The Double Single 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 53.3%

A blend normally holds dozens of whiskies. The Double Single holds two. One single malt and one single grain, and after that there is nothing left to hide behind.

Expert description

Compass Box The Double Single 10th Anniversary Limited Edition is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 53.3% without chill filtration and without added colouring.

The original Double Single arrived in 2010 built on exactly two components, which is where the name comes from. This anniversary edition marks ten years on and is bottled at cask strength rather than the usual strength, which makes it fuller and more intense without breaking the idea. The concept is unchanged: as few moving parts as possible, so you can taste precisely what the malt and the grain each contribute.

Tasting notes

Nose

Golden and layered. The natural sweetness of cereal first, then creamy vanilla, honey and ripe apples, with a light citrus freshness and a suggestion of smoke underneath.

Palate

Full and velvety. Honey, vanilla and ripe pear meet citrus and dark caramel, while the malt base gives depth and a touch of spiced smoke. The strength warms without cutting.

Finish

Long and warm, with cereal, vanilla, light oak and a dry spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Compass Box The Double Single 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 53,3%
Bottler: Compass Box
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 53.3%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Double Single 10th Anniversary Limited Edition

Flavour profile

Creamy · Honeyed · Vanilla · Lightly Smoked · Cask Strength

Investment potential

High. A limited edition at cask strength, built on a concept the house rarely returns to. Anniversary releases from Compass Box have historically sold out quickly.

Did you know?

The word blend has been used as an insult among malt enthusiasts for decades. The Double Single was made as a counter-argument: two components, full transparency about the recipe, and a whisky that shows what grain can actually contribute when it is good enough.

See our full range of Compass Box Blended Whisky

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Frequently asked questions about Compass Box The Double Single 10th Anniversary

Why is it called The Double Single?

Because it contains only two whiskies: one single malt and one single grain. The name plays on the fact that a blend here has been cut right back to the bone.

What do the malt and grain each bring?

The malt gives cereal, fruit and a lightly smoked spice, while the grain gives vanilla, creamy sweetness and the soft texture. With only two components you can genuinely pull them apart in the glass.

Is it worth seeking out?

It is an anniversary edition at cask strength of a whisky already among the house's most discussed. Limited numbers and a concept that is rarely repeated make it interesting for drinkers and collectors alike.

Should I add water?

At 53.3% a couple of drops can open the fruit and soften the oak. Try it neat first so you can feel how much the strength contributes to the texture.

What is a blended Scotch?

A mixture of malt whisky and grain whisky. Most blends contain many different whiskies, but the principle is the same. See the full selection in our Blended Scotch Whisky.

When did the original Double Single appear?

In 2010. This edition marks the tenth anniversary and is bottled at cask strength, where the original sat lower. The idea of only two components is unchanged.