Compass Box The Peat Monster 4th Edition

 

 

 

46° 

Distillery : Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Ardmore, Clynelish, Dailuaine, Teaninich - Islay, Islands, Highlands, Speyside

Refill Bourbon Hoghsheads nad Barrels, Heavily Toasted French Oak Barrels

Independent Bottling 

By Compass Box 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

The Peat Monster is a legend in the history of whisky, and is the work of John Glaser, the founder of Compass Box. The first Peat Monster dates back to 2003, but it was only called Monster at the time. Then came the first, second, third and fourth editions of Peat Monster. In between, we had a special 10th anniversary edition, a first Peat Monster Cask Strength in 2015, the Peat Monster Arcana in 2020, and a 2nd Cask Strength in 2023 for the 20th anniversary. Finally, in 2019, Peat Monster was integrated into the Signature Range, Compass Box's regular range. It has therefore become much easier to find. The recipes change depending on the edition, and I'm not entirely sure about the one for this 4th edition released in 2016, as it's kept more or less secret. The only recipe officially given is for the new Peat Monster in 2019, but the ones before contained Ardmore and sometimes Ledaig. Nor is it known how many bottles were produced for this edition. However, it is said to be between 10 and 16 years old.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Powerful and herbaceous peat right from the start, followed by a fine balance. Mineral notes, sprinkled with lemon. Yellow fruits in the background, thick and slightly medicinal smoke. Whitewashed walls, damp hay. Mountain honey. The palate is a little pale and rather lemony, the peat is still there. Pungent spices, cloves, ginger, treacle, lychees. Apple not quite ripe. Quite correct, decent, almost long finish, charcoal, pepper, liquorice, greasy ashes. Braised chestnuts. Waxed wood.

 

In Short, 

It's typically the kind of thing you can't resist having another glass of. I opened it a few days ago, and the bottle is already well used up. It's not extremely complex, nor powerful, it's not that monstrous, far from it, but it's the perfect formula for an easy-to-drink whisky, which is bound to please peat lovers. I think it's Laphroaig that dominates, helped a little by Ledaig, while Caol Ila is more discreet. On the Signature Range Edition, Caol Ila is more present, and I prefer it, but this edition is very pleasant. You can still find it at the release price on certain sites, but you'll have to look hard because it's officially been out of stock for at least 5 years.

Score : 86 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Copperboots - The Quiet Queen