Now retired from the Compass Box core range, Oak Cross was named for the use of both American and French oak in the maturation. It was a light blended malt Scotch whisky, with a primary maturation in American oak casks then married in a mix of first fill Bourbon casks and proprietary oak cross casks made of American and new French oaks.
Roadtested in Milroy’s of Soho, London
The original, and some say still the best, whisky bar in London.
Selling the finest Scotch whisky from their Greek Street store before the market for single malts even existed, Jack and Wallace Milroy helped create the market for single malts here 60 years ago.
Small and perfectly-formed, friendly and informed, Milroy’s has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment after the company closed their Spitalfields outlet.
Worth a visit whenever you’re in London. Tell them Ricky sent you.
Find out more about the new whisky bar at 3 Greek Street in our launch issue, The Old and The New.
The dram
Whisky
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottler
Compass Box
Cask
Bourbon, American & French oak
Country
Scotland
Region
–
Bottled
–
Chill filtered
No
Age
NAS
Colouring
No
Distillery
–
Series
Signature Range
ABV
43%
Nose: Bright sugar spiciness through malty citrus, with a clove note.
Palate: Spirit forward light and sweet, fiery, spicy vanilla notes, oak, malt, tannic, hinted orchard fruits.
Finish: Malty, spiced orchard fruit giving way to an oak finish.
A thoroughly enjoyable dram with a typically great Compass Box backstory.
Oak Cross. To paraphrase the Ronseal marketing, it does what it says on the tin.
Slàinte Mhath
