Compass Box Orangerie

Product of: United Kingdom

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Orangerie is an infusion of Highland single malt, single grain whisky from Fife and fresh, hand-zested Navalino orange peels, vanilla and spices including Indonesian cassia bark and Sri Lankan dried cloves. Orangerie is a spirit not a liqueur (it does not have the requisite 100g sugar/litre).

Orangerie borrows its name from the buildings first erected in Elizabethan England to grow tropical, and then rare, oranges. The first orangery built in England was erected in the late 1500s by Frances Carew and it was visited by Queen Elizabeth I, so is likely to be where the queen tasted oranges for the first time.

The orangery became the height of fashion in 18th century Britain, and two landmark orangeries were built in London - Kensington Palace in 1705 and Kew Gardens in 1761. John Glaser was inspired to create Orangerie when visiting the orangery at Kew. His infusion is bottled without chill filtration and without the addition of caramel or other colouring.

Orangerie should be served slightly chilled with chocolates or chocolate desserts.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 08/09/2011

Appearance:

Clear, bright golden yellow.

Aroma:

Fresh orange oils, Christmas cake and ginger cake spice.

Taste:

Dry palate - surprisingly so, with zesty orange flavours just nudging whisky flavours into second and cassia bark and clove spice heat (literally) behind.

Aftertaste:

Orange and spice finish.