USA. Compass Box has unveiled travel retail-exclusive blended Scotch whisky The Travelling Circus in partnership with DFS at John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles international airports. 

The expression, inspired by the 2016 Compass Box limited-edition blend The Circus, features a stronger peat presence from Talisker Distillery malt whisky and peated blended Scotch whisky.

The label design nods to the original The Circus, with a modern twist influenced by futurism, emphasising movement and machines. 

Compass Box Whisky Maker James Saxon crafted The Travelling Circus by blending bold, rich whiskies to evoke the atmosphere of a circus night. 

The Travelling Circus is primarily made from whiskies aged in sherry casks, resulting in a fruity character with hints of dry smoke and a smooth finish.  

The blend combines the smokiness of Talisker and Caol Ila malt whiskies with sherry notes from Speyside and grain whisky from the now closed Port Dundas Distillery.  

Saxon noted: “We are incredibly pleased with the arrival of The Travelling Circus. The balance of sherry cask maturation and complex smokiness is a hallmark for Compass Box.

“Those who are fans of our whiskies will enjoy dissecting this latest composition. For those new to Compass Box, this is a globe-trotting introduction to the sorts of places we can explore when creatively combining high-quality Scotch whiskies.” 

Compass Box CEO Maurice Doyle said: “We are really excited about our growing partnership with DFS Group and USA has always been a priority market for us.  

“This feels like the perfect time to release an utterly delicious travel-retail exclusive to capture the hearts and tastebuds of those travelling through John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles international airports.” 

DFS Senior Director, Global Merchandising, Spirits Wine Tobacco & Food Daniel Licari commented: “As the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, DFS is excited to exclusively launch this special release of Compass Box in our North America airport stores – one of the key markets in our global network.  

“Compass Box’s forward-thinking, disruptive approach to whisky aligns perfectly with DFS’s commitment to attracting new consumers to the category.  

“By offering innovative brands such as Compass Box, we’re able to craft unique shopping experiences that introduce a diversified whisky assortment to the next generation of enthusiasts.” ✈