Compass Box Ethereal

 

 

 

49°

Distillery : Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Pulteney, Miltonduff - Islay, Highlands, Speyside

Recharred, Refill American Oak Barrels and Hogsheads

Independent Bottling 

By Compass Box

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

Launched to celebrate the 65th anniversary of La Maison du Whisky, this little thing is a very limited edition, with 2,430 bottles, and sold only on the French market. It is a blend of Speyside whisky (17.4%), Highland whisky (43.3%) and Islay whisky (39.3%), ranging in age from 17 to 26 years. The name Ethereal also refers to Eleuthera, the very first Blended Malt released by Compass Box in 2001 (but not the first bottling, which was Hedonism in 2000, a Blended Grain). On the occasion of the anniversary of La Maison du Whisky, John Glaser, founder of Compass Box, is also looking for the origins of his own adventure.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nose coated with light peat, pleasant, woody, black radish, sweet smoke, fruit, sour apple, juicy pear, white grape, yellow plums. Black earth, grimy rock, basalt, slate, garden vegetables, zucchini flowers, beans. Hints of iodine. Slightly austere on the palate, quickly moving on to spices, pepper, cumin, pine needles. Vanilla is discreetly present, accompanied by sea salt. Quite a long, fruity finish, with dried banana and wild berries. Blackberries. Charcoal.

 

In Short, 

With all the praise I read here and there, I feel like I've missed the point. That happens sometimes. Or maybe it's just a bit too much hype about a product that's certainly very good, but not that great, and at a price that's way too high. I'd have to try it again to be sure. In any case, it's very good, and personally I'd buy it if it were half its current price.

Score : 88 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love