Compass Box Metropolis
The Compass Box Metropolis is intended to tell the story of urbanity. After 12 years pre-blended - married and returned to the cask - the whisky matured for a further 12 to 15 years in sherry casks. The ingredients are mainly from the Aberlour and Miltonduff distilleries, with a small proportion of Bowmore added for the industrial style.
Tasting Notes
Nose
At first sniff, you feel like you're in a market with the scent of apricots, butterscotch and freshly roasted coffee. A light sea breeze blows past. And then there's that hint of honey that caresses the nose. Coconut? Could also be coconut, perhaps an exotic stall at the market. In any case: a fragrance that arouses curiosity.
Palate
The first sip is like jumping from one skyscraper roof to the next - exciting and sweet! Caramel sweets and creamy fudge coat the tongue, and then comes this light smoky note, reminiscent of a campfire evening in a city park. Copper leaf and a pinch of salt provide the necessary spice, while figs and sultanas give a hint of the Orient. A firework of flavours!
Finish
The finish is long. Dried fruit and a hint of old oak accompany us on the way home, and there is a delicate hint of milk chocolate at the end.
Thoughts
Marcel 84/100
This Compass Box Metropolis brings true city life to the glass – lively, multifaceted, and with a smoky spice that makes you eager for the next sip. It’s not the gentlest dram, but that’s exactly what makes it an exciting companion for those who love whisky with character. An urban delight that takes the palate on a little adventure.
Sascha 84/100
The Metropolis displays a balanced complexity, where the harmonious interplay of sherry cask maturation and subtle smokiness is particularly convincing. The structured balance between sweetness, spice, and dried fruits delivers a long, layered finish, which, through precise cask selection, underlines its urban identity. A well-crafted blend with a clear architectural line.
Value for Money: No rating
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79/100Frequently Asked Questions
What role do the different distilleries play in the blend of Compass Box Metropolis?
Compass Box Metropolis mainly combines whiskies from Aberlour and Miltonduff, known for their fruity and malty characters. A small portion of Bowmore adds a light smoky note that emphasizes the whisky’s urban, industrial style.
How does the finishing in sherry casks influence the taste of Compass Box Metropolis?
The additional maturation of 12 to 15 years in sherry casks imparts the whisky with complex notes of dried fruits like figs and raisins, along with a subtle sweetness and woody depth that shape the long, dry finish.
Why is Compass Box Metropolis called a 'pre-blended' whisky and what does that mean for the drinking experience?
'Pre-blended' means that the individual whiskies are married together before cask maturation. This allows the flavors to develop and mature harmoniously, resulting in a more complex and balanced aroma.