Entering the Metropolis
Metropolis, from Compass Box, launches in an early 19th century museum. Photography byBeca B Jones.
Compass Box release the third of their Extinct Blend Quartet inspired by an era of top hats, steam engines and architectural genius, writes Tom Pattinson
The dark, gloomy room may well have been lit by low ambient lighting but my memory has already replaced whatever 21st century luminescent magic it was, with imaginary flickering waxy candle light. Old oil canvasses, painted by the hands of Romantic masters hang on the walls of this central London townhouse, and instead of an old Heals sofa dominating the sitting room, lies an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus.
The house I was in for an evening billed as ‘A Taste Through Time’ was in fact that of the Georgian architect Sir John Soane – now a museum that has been left untouched since the collectors death in 1837.
The museum, tucked away in leafy Lincoln Inn’s Field, is well worth a visit to learn more about the era of colonial plunder, but for all its joyous historical delights, we were here for an evening of whisky with the Scotch whiskymakers Compass Box.
The evening was to celebrate the release of the third expression in its Extinct Blends Quartet, Metropolis, which pays tribute to the city. Thus, where better to enjoy a dram than in the house of the man who is credited for shaping many of England’s capital city’s landmarks – most notably the Bank of England building.
“For us, Metropolis represents all the people, places, and moments that blend together making city life so vibrant. We really wanted to capture the soul of blended Scotch that continues to reside in the city today,” explains Compass Box Lead Whiskymaker James Saxon.
Compass Box are best known for Hedonism – one of the most widely respected blended grain whiskies. But their Extinct Blends Quartet pays homage to blends that have been lost through history.
Metropolis, third in the Extinct Blends Quartet to be released by Compass Box.
Whilst distilleries can be revived, past blends made from unique relationships and ideas cannot, states Saxon. They encapsulate specific moments in time from which the brand takes their inspiration to recreate four very different expressions of blended Scotch using some incredible parcels of whisky.
The powerful ‘Ultramarine’ was the first of the Extinct Blends Quartet made with whisky from Caol Ila and Glendullan distilleries and aged grains from the Cameronbridge and Girvan distilleries. This was followed by a sweeter, fruitier ‘Delos’, made with whisky from Glen Elgin, Imperial and Miltonduff distilleries. The Metropolis is a more complex, fudgy drink with a smoky woodiness and made with whisky from the Miltonduff, Aberlour and Bowmore distilleries along with a parcel of Blended Scotch nurtured in sherry casks to create that dried fruit richness.
Compass Box say they are relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. And certainly with the new Metropolis they have certainly taken us to an interesting place.
Metropolis, the third of the Extinct Blend’s Quartet from Compass Box is available for £270
