Compass Box The Peat Monster 10th Anniversary Blended Malt Scotch
48.9% ABV
$100-$120
Website
What the Blender Says:
Ten years ago we created a bespoke blend of very peaty single malts for the owners of the Park Avenue Liquor Shop in New York. We named it “Monster” and for the label graphics we used a 19th century illustration of a bizarre and strangely beautiful creature that appeared to us to capture the idea of the whisky.
It sold so well that when it became endangered we decided to share the idea with the rest of the world. We appended “The Peat” to the front of “Monster” and breathed fresh life into the beautiful beast. It has gone on to become our best-selling Compass Box whisky.
In 2013, let’s celebrate ten years of sharing the joys of the craft blender’s art, of inspiring others in the industry and of enjoying the balanced, peaty charms of this creation. Heavy peat and smoke, combined with notes of malty richness.
For this special bottling, we have produced a special recipe of The Peat Monster, maintaining the smoky, heavy-peated intensity of the classic bottling and adding a bit more malty richness through the use of some very special, quite odd casks of peaty Highland single malt.
Availability
Limited Release of approx 5,700 bottles. Bottled in September 2013.
Flavour Descriptors
Intense aromas of peet-reek, smoke, seaside character and burnt ropes, with a subtle apple-fruitiness in the background. The palate is full, round and tremendously complex. Water brings out a spice-laden, sweet vanilla character, as well.
Recommendations
A fantastic late-night digestif malt whisky.
Distillery Sourcing
Islay single malts distilled on the south shore of the island and in the village of Port Askaig. Balanced with a rich, smoky Highland single malt and a fruity oily malt from the village of Brora.
Wood
Primarily a mix of first-fill and refill American oak, plus approximately 2% new French oak for finishing.
Bottling Details
Bottled at 48.9%. Not chill filtered. Natural colour.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Restrained and lighter than the regular release. This smells like an herb fire with fresh green herbs. Medicinal and heavier on the iodine. There is a back note of ginger snaps too.
Palate: Delicate with a bit of apples and citrus. A citrus reduction drizzled on a vanilla apple cream brulee.
Finish: Warming slowly with old campfire smoke and a little peppery bite around the edges.
Comments: As good as the regular Peat Monster is this is much better. All the things I didn’t like in the regular version are remedied. The flavors, complexity, and balance are all also ratcheted up.
Rating: Must Buy