Compass Box Celestrial - The Extinct Blends Quartet

A Flight Through Epic Clouds of Smoke

Our Extinct Blends Quartet takes inspiration from vanished characters and flavours,reappraising four very different expressions of blended Scotch, using some of our most precious parcels of whisky.

Our latest and last in the Extinct Blends Quartet, Celestial is inspired by a whisky from the 1960s with both an extravagant flavour profile and an equine theme. The peatiest of the Extinct Blends Quartet, and our most expansive, Celestial offers a depth of flavour and maturity that has become the series’ hallmark.

Tasting note

Nose

Heavy peat smoke most akin to a bonfire on the beach. Hint of ginger is also found in the scent. Thick rich fragrance where the Islay character is evident. What a character bomb!

Taste

Dry with burnt oak. Dark tropical fruit. A flavour that only fits under the Compass Box label. What a gem they have bottled again. Every sip brings new flavours and some more delicious than others. 

Finish

Take your time to fully dissect this glass, because the aftertaste is also one to sit back and relax. Full and long.

Extra information

Ardbeg and Caol Ila whiskies were used for this blend of exclusively malt whiskies.

Compass Box

Compass Box is a pioneer in the whisky world, elevating blending to an art form and breaking traditional boundaries with its innovative approach. Led by John Glaser, the company has built a reputation for creating complex, high-quality whiskies loved by connoisseurs and newcomers alike. With their commitment to quality, innovation and transparency, Compass Box remains an influential force in the whisky industry, and their whiskies are considered some of the most interesting and bold products on the market.

Philosophy

Compass Box sees blending whisky as an art form. Instead of focusing on single malt whisky, the company emphasises on creating exceptional blends. They believe that by combining different whiskies, it is possible to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Compass Box is known for its experimental approach, such as using unusual cask types, including new French oak casks, or creating blends that fall outside the usual flavour profiles. This approach has earned them both praise and controversy within the whisky world.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Compass Box is their commitment to transparency. They share extensive information about the composition of their whiskies, including provenance, age and types of casks used. This is in contrast to the norm in the industry, where such details are often kept secret.