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Compass Box and Delilah’s partner on commemorative blend
Independent Scotch whisky blender Compass Box has released a new limited edition expression to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chicago bar Delilah’s.
Delilah’s XXV marks the 25th anniversary of the Chicago venue
Delilah’s XXV is the result of a collaboration between whisky maker John Glaser and Mike Miller, the owner of punk rock whisky bar Delilah’s.
The new expression is based around a parcel of the original Compass Box Delilah’s blend, which was released in 2013 to mark the bar’s 20th anniversary.
The original recipe combined single malt and single grain whiskies aged in a mix of new American oak barrels, giving it a “pronounced sweetness”.
Compass Box saved a small parcel of the whisky to casks for further maturation.
After ageing for a further five years in cask, this parcel forms the base of the new recipe. Miller suggested adding malt whisky aged in Spanish Sherry casks, also made of American oak, to “complement the rich vanilla and toffee character” the original parcel had developed.
The final blend is described as a “characterful” whisky with notes of vanilla and spice, and rich Sherry wine character reminiscent of dried fruits and baking spices.
“The first release was special to us as it brought together two passionate communities with a lot in common, so we’re really excited to be able to do that again and share this next release with the world,” said Miller.
“After we did the first release, I was sent a photo of a guy in Shanghai with his arms around some bartenders and a bottle of Delilah’s on the bar. I knew that the community of Delilah’s existed in that bar. We changed the conversation there, and that person had a better time in China because of his affiliation with Delilah’s and with Compass Box.”
Glaser added: “Compass Box and Delilah’s share an ethos about doing things you love and on your terms. This is what brought Mike and me together years ago and it’s why our continued collaboration is so much fun and so gratifying.”
Bottled at 46% abv, Delilah’s XXV will be released worldwide, initially in Europe in select specialty retailers. It will be available in the US from June 2018 at US$100. It is limited to 8,520 bottles worldwide.