Compass Box Flaming Heart 15th Anniversary Limited Edition

Peaty

I was lucky enough to get a sample of this limited edition release by Compass Box Whisky from my good friend Lee a few months ago. I finally had the time to try it tonight and I’m glad I did. This is a blended malt scotch, the components of which are a combination of two different vintages of Caol Ila, Clynelish and Dailuaine. I’ll spare you the age, percentages and cask types of each as they are well documented. Bottled at 48.9% ABV and as all CBW whiskies are, it is non chill filtered and natural color. This is a golden straw color. Big peat smoke on the nose initially. Strong citrus, grilled lemons. I get salty baked whitefish with green olives on a plank of green oak. A bit of an unusual combo but it works. Burnt wood/campfire ashes, settling into what my in-laws basement smells like during Christmas when they have a nice fire going. Once the big smoky notes subsided, a beautiful wave of warm vanilla buttercream, toffee, caramel and toasted coconut took over. Lovely but somewhat restrained fruits like peach, apricots and pineapple. Some dark chocolate rounds things out. The palate starts off with vegetal peat and sooty smoke. Smoked shellfish in a lemon/lime brine with some herbs. Baking spices like nutmeg, clove and pepper. Creamy vanilla comes in with oak and dark chocolate. Soft leathery notes and maybe the barest hint of tobacco. Every sip the smoke is the first thing you notice, but you get used to it and then can pick through everything else. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is oily, becoming dry. A medium long finish that is dry with lots of cold ashes, peat and vanilla. A well put together blended malt scotch. I’ve never had any of the individual components as single malts (soon to change), but they work well together. The casks are mostly American oak and it shows in the vanilla and toffee notes as well as the nutmeg and overall softness. It’s quite mature with the peat still playing a major role in the overall profile. Even though I’m giving this the same rating as I did with the Lost Blend, I think Lost Blend still holds the top spot from CBW for me. Thanks again @LeeEvolved for the lovely sample. 4.5 Cheers

Possibly best smoky whisky to date. Thick, rich and oily. Lemon meringue. Might buy another bottle as limited release.