Scotland and France unite for a new take on the Auld Alliance

Compass Box’s new releases celebrates kindred spirits and the classic combination of apples and barley.

Leading independent Scotch whisky maker and six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year introduces a unique limited edition: Compass Box Affinity.

Compass Box have crossed the channel in pursuit of classic complementary flavours for their latest Limited Release. Affinity presents the world’s first blend of Scotch whisky with Normandy’s famed apple brandy, Calvados.

For all their contrasts on paper, the marriage of these two spirits in the bottle reveals a compelling shared nature.

As John Glaser, Compass Box whisky maker, explained: ‘We’ve been blending Calvados with Scotch whisky at home and in our blending room for years, simply because we love the way the flavours complement one another. We felt it was time to share it with the world.’

Calvados is one of the world’s great spirits. In terms of finesse and character it stands tall alongside the finest cognacs, tequilas – and malt whiskies.

John continued: ‘Scotland and Normandy have a number of things in common, especially their cool, maritime climates. Apples and barley have a long, shared history of usage together, particularly in baking. Spirits-wise, it isn’t widely known that Calvados producers often double-distil in pot stills, just like their Scottish cousins.’

The Affinity marriage began with Domaine Christian Drouin Pays d’Auge XO Calvados, matured in the Drouin cellars in the village of Coudray-Rabut, Normandy. To this has been added a selection of Scotch malt whiskies aged in French oak and Sherry casks, together with a parcel of blended Scotch whisky, brought together at a young age and further matured for many years in Sherry butts.

The XO Calvados lends layers of apple and sweet fruit flavour, as well as a distinctive texture; the combination with the malty, vanilla and spice-like notes, provided by the whiskies, tastes comfortingly familiar. The French and the Scottish distillates build upon one another, creating weight and singular intensity.

Affinity highlights the harmonious combination of apples and barley. It also celebrates the qualities that unite great drinks, wherever they happen to be made. A versatile spirit, Affinity can be served over ice, mixed into a twist on the boulevardier cocktail, or paired with a classic tarte tatin.

Full details for Affinity are available at: www.compassboxwhisky.com/affinity

Bottled at 46% ABV, a total of 6,028 bottles of ‘Affinity’ have been released worldwide. It’s now available in select specialty retailers with an RRP of £100.