Compass Box Delilah's 20th Anniversary Blended Scotch Whisky is a 6,324 bottles limited-edition release, crafted in 2013 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Delilah's, a renowned punk rock whisky bar in Chicago. This collaboration between Compass Box founder John Glaser and Delilah's owner Mike Miller resulted in a whisky designed to be enjoyed alongside a cold beer, reflecting the bar's unique atmosphere.
Composition & Maturation
The blend is composed of 50% single malt whisky from Alness and Longmorn, and 50% single grain whisky from Fife. It was aged in a combination of new American oak barrels and rejuvenated American oak hogsheads. Notably, the whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at 40% ABV, with no age statement. The use of virgin oak imparted a pronounced sweetness and richness to the profile.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Predominantly floral with intense honey, perfume, and Parma violets. Over time, creamy vanilla notes emerge, accompanied by green apples and hints of grapefruit.
- Palate: The whisky offers a sweet, gooey, and cake-like character, with a fresh and interesting profile, likely due to maturation in virgin oak.
Legacy
Delilah's 20th Anniversary Blended Scotch Whisky was the first collaboration between Compass Box and Delilah?s, setting the stage for future partnerships. It was succeeded by Delilah's XXV, released in 2018 to mark the bar's 25th anniversary. Delilah?s XXV was a more complex blend, incorporating elements of the original 20th Anniversary whisky aged for an additional five years, along with other whiskies aged in both American and Spanish oak sherry casks.