46°
Distillery : Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Clynelish, Teaninich, Dailuaine - Islay, Highlands, Speyside
Refill Hogsheads and Custom French Oak Casks
Independent Bottling
By Compass Box
Core Range
Blended Malt
Launched in 2019
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 36 ppm
The Peat Monster is Compass Box's monster, their figurehead, their
best-selling whisky, and a name that spans many bottlings. From the very first Peat Monster, which was actually called
Monster, launched in 2003, to the Cask Strength 2d edition launched twenty years later, there are
countless expressions bearing this name. Initially, there were 4
limited editions launched at regular intervals, along with many rare things or in Cask Strength. But in 2019, The Peat Monster is
integrated into the Signature Range, the classic Compass Box range, with
a new recipe essentially based on two distilleries, Caol Ila
and Laphroaig. It is this one that I am reporting on today. Even if
new Batches are launched every 3-4 months, the recipe remains the same,
as well as the label designed by Marc Burckhardt.
Let's Taste It :
Beautiful dry, herbaceous peat. Earth with a full ashtray next to it.
It's metallic too, with nails, car wrecks. We're at a junkyard,
engine oil puddles here and there. Thick smoke over it, but the fruit is there
too, white plums, creamy vanilla. The whole is quite round, well
balanced. Ripe wheat. On the palate, pleasant soft peat, the
spices rise, pepper, nutmeg, clove, it remains very engaging, slightly
woody, then it's the finish, long, explosive, coffee and cola, charcoal.
In Short,
Despite the name, I wouldn't call this a Monster. Its quality is
on the contrary that, although very peaty, it remains drinkable and
pleasant. This is probably the most peaty expression I know, which is
not aggressive. In the mouth, it is quite sweet. This is its strength.
John Glaser, when he talks about it, insists on its "drinkability",
and that is absolutely true. They made a nice monster, even cute.
It's a tour de force, and therefore a classic, that you absolutely must
have if you're a fan of the genre.
Score : 87
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Aerosmith - Walk This Way
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