Compass Box Orangerie, The Scotch Whisky Infusion

Compass Box, led by John Glaser, is a Scotch whisky blender who takes the category to extremes, which is apparent from their Hedonism Maximus and Peat Monster Reserve from 2008. In the company's relatively young history they have made a holiday tradition of releasing a bottling that cannot technically be called Scotch, but instead is a "Scotch whisky infusion," and in the fall of 2009 they made it a year-round offering after a three year hiatus. It goes by the name Orangerie and it is certainly a head turning whisky that even the novice will notice.

What makes Compass Box's Orangerie so different? Well, it starts out like an average Scotch - a blend of single malt Highland whisky and single grain whiskey from Fife - but is finished off with an infusion of hand-zested Navalino orange peels, Indonesian cassia bar and cloves from Sri Lanka. This unique combination results in a Scotch that takes on the personality of Christmas and spicy winter desserts, making it ideal as a holiday sipper.

This spicy, citrus Scotch does make a fascinating sipper, whether that be slightly chilled or on the rocks, but its flavor explosion also makes for some exemplary Scotch cocktails that are beyond the ordinary peaty-sweet drinks we're used to. I found it best paired with sweet vermouth in drinks that have a bitter element, the Robert Burns being a prime example. Cocktails that lack that bitter like the Rob Roy and Rusty Nail are just a touch too sweet with Orangerie for my taste, yet the dry vermouth of the Affinity with a dash of Angostura bitters not only brings in the bitter but a dry side that even the drink out. Stepping away from the neat drinks, though, the distinct aromatics of Orangerie opens up nicely in a Scotch and Soda and a Scotch Sour.

The news that Orangerie is available off season is exciting and I'm sure that the longer it is regularly available there will be more and more signature cocktails developed using it. Its unique flavor profile does open up some unfounded possibilities and its reasonable price makes it possible to do some guilt-free mixing.

Compass Box Orangerie Tasting Notes:
Orangerie opens with the fresh aroma of orange zest and takes one back to a childhood Christmas when Mom filled the kitchen with the sweetened spices of the season. The palate is filled with soft whisky flavors that are accented with clove and vanilla backed up by cassia bark and all of which offset a sweetened orange. The finish follows suit in a dry fashion.

Compass Box Cocktails:

• Alice Paul Cocktail
• Ernestine Rose Cocktail

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.