Compass Box Delilah's XXV

Mike Miller opened his punk rock whisky bar Delilah’s in Chicago in 1993. I has been open every single day ever since. You can find more than 1.000 beers and spirits. Even the Belgian Oerbier and Duvel are served. In 2013, for the 20th anniversary, Compass Box created Delilah’s, a special blend. It was very popular and so it was re-created again in 2018, albeit with an extra maturation on sherry casks. It contains approximately 10% grain whisky – I presume Cameronbrigde. The result is this Delilah’s XXV.

If you are expecting a sherry bomb, think again. I get mostly baked apples with cinnamon, candied ginger and a pinch of nutmeg, some laurel and lots of caramel paste. The sherry influence is rather limited, but the nose is quite pleasant all the same.

The body is fine and so is the strength. Now the spices arrive first, with cloves and nutmeg in the lead, followed by sherry notes in the guise of candied orange peel and cherry candy. A bit too candy-like to my taste, but far from bad. Hint of milk chocolate with pieces of candied fruit and nuts in the mix, like Cadbury’s.

The finish is spicy, medium long and softly drying.

A very pleasant and approachable whisky. One to share with friends on Christmas Eve. In Chicago, obviously.

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