Tastes

Most of Ardbeg's committee releases are a complete waste of money, but this core range bottling was decent enough to write a review. Earthy and mineral notes hit the nose, followed by chimney soot, butterscotch and pine resin. Barley sugar, honey and ripe pears are first to arrive on the palate before menthol, bitter walnuts and lemon zest take over in the development. Ashy peat smoke, bay leaf and a touch of eucalyptus push into the clean and straightforward finish. Make no mistake, this Wee Beastie will challenge the toothbrush later tonight. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

I have yet to find a Caol Ila that disappointed me, and this young, sherry-matured Càrn Mòr is certainly no exception. Medicinal and peppery-sweet, the nose features BBQ sauce, dark fruits and menthol cigarettes. Iodine, sea salt and a touch of banana appear. On the palate, strawberry cream, black pepper and briny peat smoke mingle with caramel, honey and salted licorice. The ashy, mineral and long finish subsides with cinnamon, plum butter and tobacco. A spirit-driven Islay malt at a fair price, underscoring once more why this is my favorite distillery. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

Affordable, well-presented and always a reliable choice: if there is such a thing as the perfect gift bottle, Bunnahabhain 12 would be it. Sherry-driven, oily and virtually unpeated, the nose combines orange peel, peaches and shortbread with hazelnuts, treacle and hints of sea breeze. Sweet and sour notes, ginger and bitter wood spices accompany the rich mouthfeel before the taste shifts gears towards spearmint, cocoa and brown sugar. Walnuts, stewed fruits and a touch of mocha fade in the lasting and resinous finish. This malt punches above its weight! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

When does a whisky label become art? Inspired by a rock song, Flaming Heart is definitely one of the most iconic Compass Box releases. On the nose, citrus fruits, brine and vegetal peat smoke outshine chamomile, white pepper and beeswax. Lovely Caol Ila signature. Honeyed in the arrival, peat and spices wrestle on the palate, while stewed fruits, walnuts and dark chocolate follow the spectacle. The finish pushes this malt to the next level, as drying oak, tobacco and a dash of salt surrender to honey, lemons and cloves. Exceptional blending at its best! RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

Isn't 'No Name' a name? That would make it an oxymoron, which is pretty clever marketing. The nose of this dram is screaming Ardbeg, as briny and slightly medicinal peat smoke rules over anise, lemon zest and menthol cigarettes. Hints of engine oil, burned rubber and cloves add another layer. Honeyed and peaty in the arrival, the taste evolves with peppercorn, vanilla and citrus fruits, while eucalyptus, salt and lingering ash migrate into the long and satisfactory finish. Pure, raw and without compromise, this Compass Box does indeed require no name. RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]

I didn't get off to a good start with Experimental Grain, featuring peated, column-distilled Loch Lomond. Random notes of raspberry effervescent tablets, pinewood and mossy vegetation reach my nose, interrupted by smoldering wood, herbs and distant honey. On the palate, vanilla, cinnamon and banana compete with emerging peat smoke, fresh mint and bitter oranges. Whipped cream, milk chocolate and tannins mark the drying finish. Like a spy traveling under a false passport, Hedonism's alter ago remains opaque, confusing and weirdly fascinating. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

The concept of Menagerie is 'different species of whiskies brought together', with 42.7% of Mortlach serving as the base. Smoked pineapple, mango and ginger candies form the nose, and I am glad they did not let the Laphroaig out of its cage. Whiffs of smoke, herbal teas and summer meadows emerge. On the palate, exotic fruits, peppery spices and hints of peat mix with eucalyptus, green apples and cloves. Measured oak, lemon and roasted nuts sparkle in the lasting finish. There is a lot to discover in this zoo, given that you can afford the admission fee. RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS

From the flagbearers of quality blends, the Story of the Spaniard is Compass Box's take on whiskies aged in Spanish wine casks. On the nose, orange jaffa cakes, toffee and ginger candies mingle with lemons, cinnamon and hints of leather. It's got depth without complexity, if you know what I mean. Rich, fruity and spicy, the palate continues with strawberries, honey and cloves, highlighting a lovely sweet and sour interplay. Dark chocolate, cherries and gentle spices conclude the herbal and slightly dry aftertaste. A perfect everyday dram, easy and quaffable. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]

This expression features custom-made hybrid casks with American oak bodies and French oak heads, hence the name Oak Cross. Vivid, citric and quite fresh, the nose unfolds with peach, honeydew melon and lemongrass. Amaretto, oranges and hints of oak appear. On the palate, vanilla, walnuts and peppery spices are overshadowed by dry wood and menthol. The Clynelish is sitting firmly in the driver's seat. Crisp, semidry and spicy, the medium finish lingers with apples, nutmeg and hints of green tea. Not my favorite Compass Box, but still very decent. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Almost reminiscent of Tolkien's Watcher in the Water, Peat Monster is not for the faint of heart. Fueled by a blend of Caol Ila and Laphroaig, the nose unleashes bonfire-medicinal hybrid smoke, iodine and white pepper. Seaweed, grapefruit and a touch of mead are covered in ash. After a fearless, sweet and spicy attack, the palate marches on with raw peatiness, creamy citrus fruits and anise. Slightly dry towards the end, the finish emphasizes eucalyptus, smoked ham and hints of brine. A whisky with fire and depth, this creature takes no prisoners! RATING: 4.0/5.0 stars ≙ 87 pts → FIRST-CLASS