46°
Distillery : Talisker, Miltonduff, Ardbeg - Islands, Islay and Speyside
1st Fill, Refill and Recharred Bourbon Casks, Refill French Oak Barrels
Independent Bottling
By Compass Box
Limited Edition
Blended Malt
Bottled in 2020
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peat Monster is a formula that has worked well at Compass Box since the first edition in 2003. This time, it's James Saxon's turn to produce a new version. First, he lets a first blend rest for two years in three toasted French oak casks. Then he made things more complex by adding first fill and refill Bourbon casks, toasted to perfection. The result appears in 8328 copies. First of all, the profile is very round, which makes it different from other Peat Monsters. That's why the name will be different. Secondly, a small mistake on the part of Compass Box: the Highland Malt Blend (based on Clynelish) that they add to all their whiskies has been omitted here. As a result, the formula on the label is wrong. A surprising error, but one that in no way detracts from the quality of the product. The peat content is not mentioned, but should be around 25-30 ppm.
Let's Taste It :
Peppery ash, heavy peat, fresh iodine. Intense fruit, apple compote, cherry marmalade, cinnamon, muscat grapes. Then the ash returns. And the fruit. And more ash. A nice dash of vanilla, mirabelles, lemon pulp. After a while it becomes really creamy. Very fine balance. Oily and spicy on the palate, paprika and pepper on the tip of the tongue. Ice cream, vanilla, melon, candied cherry. The finish is a bit light, but quite long, chocolate with hazelnuts, the bitterness of cocoa, some earth, coffee grounds. Envelops the palate. Crumbs of truffle.
In Short,
Until now, I'd never been particularly impressed by Compass Box. Here, I really liked the very oily character on the palate and the chocolate on the finish, the nose oscillating between strongly ashy peat and very sweet fruits. It's a masterly balance. Congratulations on a job well done! If I'd known, I'd have bought myself a bottle while I still had time, even though it's a bit expensive.
Score : 89
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Widowspeak - Money
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