With a central focus on single malt aged in special American white oak barrels, the Brûlée Royale recipe combines casks that have been toasted and charred to provide sweetness. Clynelish and Benrinnes single malts play starring roles, while Speyburn and Ardbeg single malts are also featured in the 98 proof blend.

Chef Massialot created the iconic dessert that inspired this whisky more than 300 years ago in Versailles, France.

“Versailles was the epicenter of innovation in art, science and gastronomy in the 17th century, making it the ideal source of inspiration,” says Samuel Travers, the lead Compass Box whiskymaker in Brûlée Royale’s creation. “Through the lens of Chef Massialot’s intoxicating creation, we highlight a very special parcel of whisky from the Clynelish Distillery, which has been matured in second-fill custom American oak barrels that offer extravagant sweetness while their precise toasting and charring coax just a hint of scorched sugar.”

In classic Compass Box style, the Brûlée Royale packaging features unique artwork–this time focusing on rhe Versailles Palace kitchens where crème brûlée was created.

In a further nod to Chef Massialot, Compass Box collaborated with his renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel to create the Brûlée Royale Fondue. Chef Ansel recreated the whisky in dessert form by topping off vanilla bean fondue with a splash of flambéed Brûlée Royale and serving it with bite-size sweet treats. Chef Ansel’s recipe will be available exclusively via the Compass Box website beginning October 8.

The limited edition Compass Box Brûlée Royale Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (8,556 bottles worldwide) will arrive nationwide beginning next Wednesday (October 8) for $159.99.

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This annual collection of eight rare and collectible single malts selected by Diageo Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison celebrates each distillery’s unique characteristics and the company’s robust portfolio. It also features unique casks and finishes that honor local cultures.

“This year, we’re proudly revealing our new series of distillery-first expressions: Spirited Xchange Special Releases 2023,” said Diageo Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. “For me, Spirited Xchange is about identifying and celebrating the ideas, flavors, and tastes that surround us each day and inspire our curiosity to create. This collection has given us the opportunity to roam freely through our vast portfolio and experiment with old and new cask types, including various wine and local spirits casks to create eight one-of-a-kind expressions that we’ve never imagined before.”

Spirited Xchange comes to life through its pack designs, illustrated by eight artists across the globe – each one dedicated to the distilleries and the spirits in the collection. The artworks are visual tasting notes, placing the expression at the centre of the experience and exploring the flavors that emerge from the local spirit casks.

Lagavulin ‘The Ink of Legends’ is finished in a combination of Don Julio Añejo tequila casks and honors the art of tattooing and the smokiness of the Islay distillery. $170

Mortlach ‘The Katana’s Edge’ is finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese whisky and ex-Pinot Noir casks and is illustrated with a golden gleam that represents the flash of umami that cuts through the expression. SRP: $280

The Singleton ‘The Silken Gown’ is finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks and is characterized by textures of a luminous and enchanting silk gown. SRP: $135

Talisker ‘The Wild Explorador’ is finished in a combination of White, Tawny and Ruby Port Casks and is embodied by an iconic Portuguese vessel. SRP: $135

Roseisle Distillery has joined the Special Releases Collection for the first time with its first public release, ‘The Origami Kite’. SRP: $150

Glenkinchie ‘The Floral Treasure’ 27 Year Old expression is one of its most mature bottlings to date. SRP: $400

Oban ‘The Soul of Calypso’ is finished in Caribbean pot still rum casks and highlights the essence of the Caribbean. SRP: $140

Clynelish ‘The Jazz Crescendo’ is maturation in ex-bourbon American Oak casks which gives its Southern charm. SRP: $200

Digeo’s Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection is available in limited quantities at retail and on malts.com now.

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