Whiskey Gift: Compass Box Sample Set (& the journey I had finding it!)
December 21, 2011 § 8 Comments
I just spent a full week checking out the whisky scene in the sunny city of Los Angeles, California. On my last day, I was driving around like a crazy person (as you do in LA) trying to squeeze in a few last store visits.
Beautiful, eh?
Up until then, I had really only be focusing on specialty shops (K&L for example) and authentic whisky bars (hello, Seven Grand) but I found myself sitting in a parking lot in Beverly Hills staring at a somewhat dingy looking store that, for whatever reason, I felt I was being gravitationally pulled to enter.
Sigh. Ok! I hop out of the car and go into what I would describe at first look as being a pretty standard American liquor store. Neon signs, branded posters, old linoleum floors complete with a faint smell of cat (or is the cat smell only in my memory?).
A quick overview of the room tells me the liquid gold that I’m looking for is in the center of the store (interesting … whiskies are usually along the sides or back walls). Hmmm. I keep walking.
At the start of the aisle, there is a cheap, locked display case that I’m quite sure was been held together with discretely placed duct tape. Now, here’s what I didn’t expect to see in it:
1 beautifully displayed 750ml Baccarat crystal decanter holding non-other than the Louis XIII cognac for around $2500 (see earlier post about this spirit HERE)
1 box (on the bottom shelf, tucked off to the side) of a Compass Box 50ml Sample Gift Set.
Gasp. WHAT!?! I have never seen this kind of set in the States before… ever. SOLD!
(c) 2011 TheWhiskyWoman.com --- Glencharin glass not included
This is the perfect way to familiarize oneself with a brand, style, region, etc. I picked up a few sets like this from La Maison du Whisky in Paris back in July (see earlier post HERE, reviews of the sets I bought to be posted in 2012).
In this Compass Box set, it contains five 50ml tubes, one of each of the following:
-1 x Hedonism
-1x Peet Monster
-1x Spice Tree
-1x Oak Cross
-1x Asyla
I also really appreciate the pull out information card that is secured on the underside of the box lid. This is beautifully done, clean, well organized and a perfect gift … for oneself or someone special!
(c) 2011 TheWhiskyWoman.com --- Glencharin glass not included, used only as a point of reference for sizing
Sadly, a quick google search produced only one place online with stock and that is a single sellers on eBay (click HERE) but I’m not even sure that’s legal and that guy is selling his box for $89.99 (compared to the $49 I paid at full retail).
IF you can find one – I encourage you to buy it. It’s a great set. I’ll definitely be asking my local store later today to see about getting a few in stock!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Lastly, here’s the information for the store from which I purchased this awesome set:
Vendome Wine & Spirits
9153 W Olympic BlvdBeverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 276-9463
Hopefully they can ship to you!
1 ADJUSTMENT SINCE I FIRST PUBLISHED THIS POST: I HAVE SINCE HEARD FROM COMPASS BOX AND THEY OFFER THIS SET FOR SALE IN THEIR ONLINE SHOP HERE: http://compassbox.specialitydrinks.com/
WITH SHIPPING TO THE USA (FROM THE UK) YOU CAN GET IT HOME FOR AROUND $64 USD.
WhiskyLive LA (25% off coupon code!)
September 22, 2011 § 3 Comments
Hey all of you sun-loving, whisky-drinking, dram-fans out there on the West Coast … This one’s for you!
Click to go to their site!
You probably know by now that I’m a big fan of the WhiskyLive events (see other post HERE). I’m super excited that they will be opening their doors and pouring their pours at the Hyatt Regency on Friday, October 21. If you buy your tickets BEFORE OCTOBER 1st, use coupon code INFUSIONS (yes, it’s case sensitive) to receive 25% off the ticket price!!! After October 1, this code will give you 10% off.
With an event this good and a deal this deep, I just may hop on a plane and be there myself! See below for more info…
VIP Tickets: $135.00 (5:30pm – 10:00pm)
General Admission: $105.00 (6:30pm – 10:00pm)
Proudly sponsored by
Wally’s Wine & Spirits – Seven Grand and The 213 Group
All Tickets include: admission, tastings of Scotches, Bourbons, Whiskies & Craft Beers, Gourmet dinner buffet, show guide & Glencairn tasting glass
The Whisky Woman 