Compass Box The Peat Monster Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$55 to $65
Website
What the Blender Says:
For those who love big, rich, smoky-peaty whiskies, this is for you. Peat Monster combines smoky and peaty single malts from the island of Islay and the Isle of Mull with rich, medium-peated Speyside whisky. The result is a balanced, highly drinkable peaty blended malt Scotch whisky.
For those who love big, rich, smoky-peaty whiskies, this is for you. Peat Monster combines smoky and peaty single malts from the island of Islay and the Isle of Mull with rich, medium-peated Speyside whisky. The result is a balanced, highly drinkable peaty blended malt Scotch whisky.
Flavour Descriptors
Peaty, smoky malt with hints of fruitiness; a balanced whisky with great depth and complexity.
Recommendations
A fantastic late-night digestif whisky. Excellent with blue vein cheeses.
Distillery Sourcing
Made from a marriage of 57% Islay SIngle Malt (Smoke), 34% Highland Single Malt (Smoke, Maltiness), 29% Island of Mull Single Malt (Peat).
Wood
Refill American oak.
Bottling Details
Bottled at 46%. Not chill filtered. Natural colour.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Here’s the monster! Large but balanced doses of smoke, soot, tar, and brined capers.
Palate: Here’s where the monster sleeps. As aggressive as the nose is, the palate is more delicate. It’s a little chewy with notes of blood oranges and fresh hay.
Finish: The monster returns! Quickly the finish hits you a little hot but a dash of water will calm the beast. There’s a big does of peppery spices that lingers.
Comments: If you’ve followed the blog here for a while then you know I’m a champion of the unsung blend. I feel it has been sidelined to it’s single malt brothers. You’ll also probably know that I’m a big fan of John Glaser’s work at Compass Box. With those two things reiterated I’m going to go against my own grain on this one. Peaty whiskies, and I do like them, I tend to prefer as a single malt. I just haven’t had many really peat-centric blends that I would pick over a single malt from Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, etc. The Peat Monster is no exception. It’s a fine dram and it’s make up and balance stand out among peers but I’m not loving it. It’s really the finish. The nose and palate are a great interplay but the finish to me is unbalanced, too hot, and way to much pepper smacking you in the face.
Rating: Stands Out