I recently had a chance to sip on Compass Box’s latest release, Vellichor while out with friends for dinner.

From the back of the bottle:

Vellichor – The whisky with a scent made from stories.

This wonderful new word (like whiskymaker, it isn’t yet in dictionaries) describes the sweet, dusty and resinous aroma of secondhand bookshops. It also conveys the tinge of regret a keen reader feels when inside such shops… So many books, only one lifetime in which to read them.

Certain whiskies exude a bookish perfume, particularly those with a couple of decades of maturation behind them. With Vellichor, we have brought together several parcels reminiscent of yellowing paper, scratched leather and myriad tiny scents found in spaces housing old volumes.

From a distinguished whisky company in the north of Scotland, we managed to source some prized parcels – “first editions” in our eyes. These are stocks of Scotch whisky which were blended together in the distant past before returning to wood for many years. Such components don’t turn up often but are always inspiring when they do. More than a decade in refill Sherry butts has granted them antique qualities that are as evocative as they are delicious, and they make up half of the recipe alongside separate parcels of whisky from The Highland Park, Macallan and Caol Ila distilleries.

With Vellichor, we celebrate the multi sensory experience of reading printed works. Digital versions are great, but we would always rather have our noses in a real book.

– John Glaser Founder & Whiskymaker at Compass Box

Curious about exactly what Compass Box sourced for this bottling? Here’s the breakdown:

Macallan – First Fill Bourbon Barrel – 12.1% 

Highland Park – Recharged Hogshead – 38.9%

Blended Scotch Parcel – Refill Sherry Butt – 15.6 %

Blended Malt Parcel – Refill Sherry Butt – 29.3%

Caol Ila – Refill Hogshead – 4.1%

Compass Box Vellichor Tasting Notes:

Age: NAS

Proof: 89.2

Color: Amber

Nose: Very floral with light wisps of oak and honey.

Palate: Light fruits, malt, a hint of chocolate and spiced apple came through. The profile of The Highland Park definitely stands out, which makes sense given the % of the blends mentioned above.

Finish: The finish was a lip smacking good time that left me wanting more.