The Story of The Spaniard Compass Box Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 43%

A bar in New York, a glass created for the occasion, and a story that grew too good to tell only once. The Story of The Spaniard is Compass Box's tribute to Spanish cask tradition, told by John Glaser himself.

Expert description

The Story of The Spaniard is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43% ABV by independent whisky merchant Compass Box, founded by American John Glaser.

The whisky originates from a bespoke bottling Compass Box once created for a cocktail bar named The Spaniard in New York. John Glaser and his team later decided to explore the sherry-influenced style further and make it a permanent part of the range under the name The Story of The Spaniard, first released in 2018.

The whisky is a blend of Highland and Speyside malt whisky, of which a significant portion, around 48%, is matured in used sherry casks, while a further 25% has aged in casks that previously held Spanish red wine. The rest of the blend contributes lighter, fruitier notes that balance the heavier, dark cask influence.

Tasting notes

Nose

Baked pear in red wine meets dark berries and a hint of spiced citrus peel.

Palate

Full, soft and tangy with juicy poached pears, citrus peel and warm spice.

Finish

Long and elegant, with vanilla panna cotta, berries and cherries fading slowly.

Specifications

Name: The Story of The Spaniard
Bottler: Compass Box
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: NA
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN: 5065000482558

Flavour profile

Winey · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Compass Box is known for its openness about cask compositions in an industry where such details are traditionally kept secret, making the company a pioneer of whisky transparency ever since John Glaser began publishing his recipes.

See our full range of Compass Box

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about The Story of The Spaniard

Why is the whisky called The Story of The Spaniard?

The name comes from a cocktail bar called The Spaniard in New York, for which Compass Box originally created a bespoke whisky before it became a permanent part of the range.

Which distilleries go into The Story of The Spaniard?

The individual distilleries are not named, but the whisky is a blend of Highland and Speyside malt whisky.

What role do the Spanish wine casks play in the flavour?

About 48% of the whisky is matured in used sherry casks and a further 25% in casks that previously held Spanish red wine, giving the whisky its signature fruity, winey depth.

When was The Story of The Spaniard launched?

The whisky was launched in 2018 as a permanent part of the Compass Box range.

Is The Story of The Spaniard non-chill filtered?

Yes, the whisky is non-chill filtered and has natural colour.

Who is John Glaser?

John Glaser is the American founder of Compass Box, known for combining classic Scotch whisky craftsmanship with modern blending techniques and openness about his recipes.

Is The Story of The Spaniard a good choice for sherry-cask lovers?

Yes, its fruity, winey cask character makes it a natural choice for fans of sherry and wine cask-matured whisky.