Free Stuff - February: Compass Box
This month's give-a-way is something from Compass Box.
Whether you love his products or not; whether you deplore his non-tradional approach or admire it; you have to appreciate the chutzpah that John, an American living in the UK, exhibited by starting a Scotch company. Says John:
My approach is American as opposed to traditionalist. I say, "Why not? Why don't we?"
Cigar Aficionado had a great article about John (with interview) (1-25-06):
In an atmosphere in which whisky connoisseurship has been defined by the single malts of Scotland, Glaser has championed not only vatted malts (marriages of pot-stilled single malts) and blends (malts blended with column-stilled grain whisky), but grain whisky itself -- the very ingredient that was thought to degrade blended whiskies. Despite his odd choice of direction, he has been consistently putting out whiskies that are not only interesting taste experiences for enthusiasts, but world-class spirits.
I hear that.
Over the past 7 months I've mentioned Compass Box quite a bit. Below are links to the The Scotch Blog stories that mention Compass Box, John or one of his products, or have a comment from John:
Compass Box Monster
Compass Box Gets It
A rose by any other name
John Glaser's opinion on SWA nomenclature
Spice of Life
Orangerie
Art of the Blend
Hosting a tasting
Downfall of Civilization
Into the Wood
After reading these articles (and the Cigar Aficionado article) you won't look at Compass Box the same way.
Now on to the Free Stuff, But first a change in the way I do things:
As you know, I don't accept advertising on this site. Yes, there is an Amazon banner at the bottom of the page, but I view that as a public service (and promoting my own book) and I doubt anyone has ever used that link.
As a result, I don't make any money on The Scotch Blog - as a matter of fact I spend a lot. The postage alone for last month's Free Stuff (free copies of Whisky & Scotland Magazines) cost me more than $40 to send those issues around the world.
So starting this month, the stuff is still free, but the winner will have to pay postage. Postage will vary depending on where it needs to be sent. Sorry about this, but unless and until I start accepting advertising or financial support from the Scotch industry, it will just have to be this way.
This Month's Free Stuff is an XL Peat Monster T-shirt. The shirt has the Peat Monster on the front and the Compass Box logo on the back. These shirts were a limited edition and are no longer available.
How do you win?
There are two ways to win this month.
- Be the first to email a picture of a bottle of Compass Box you own, preferably with you in the picture enjoying Compass Box, or
- Send me an email which lists the names of all of Compass Box's products.
Remember to include your postal code so I can let you know how much the postage will be.
I will respond to you with the postage cost, which you can then pay via Paypal. The first person who agrees to the postage will be the proud owner of this awesome collectible.
What's coming up for Compass Box?
- SF Whisky Expo
- Chicago Whisky Fest
- Whisky Live London
- Whisky Live Belgium
And this bit of lucky news for Londoners and attendees of Whisky Live London:
Just back from Whisky Festival in Munich, which was great. Oh, and we're having a part the night before Whisky Live London at our office. The whole world is invited! Thursday, March 2nd from 4pm to late.
Where's the Compass Box office? Go check out their web site...
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