Compass Box Flaming Heart (Sixth Edition)

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 [-]

Just wonderful. Peaty, smoky, not yet ripe green fruits. Like orchard fruit in July. Too early to eat but really enticing :). Anjou pears, green apples, Asian pears - delicious. Palate is peat, spice, and fruity sweetness. Finish is lingering campfire smoke and slightly bitter sweetness. Huge fan. Right up my alley. Gonna get my hands on more compass box. The end all be all is not single malt.

Here you go @Slainte-Mhath. Opened this beauty last Christmas: - Compass Box Flaming Heart, 6th Edition, 2018. 48.9% ABV, non-chill filtered, no color added. A blended malt, this latest iteration adds a piece of sherry cask aged whisky to an already complex recipe, featuring recharred and new French oak, plied to malts reigning from the Caol Ila, Clynelish, and Deanston distilleries. Average age of whiskies is 16.27 years. Wonderfully smoky; honeyed vanilla, dried fruits, and baking spices combine in a rich and viscous delivery. A perfect accompaniment to the holidays.

Oak and smoke. Bitterness (burnt oak?) in the finish.

Tar and iodine, fire smoke lightened by some dark fruits. Wood spice is there, punched up by the char. Takes a bit of water quite well, taming down the dragon flames.

Flaming Heart is one of those Compass Box expressions that comes and goes. This edition, has been made by blending Deanston, Caol Ila, Clynelish, an undisclosed Highland Malt and a parcel of the Spice Tree Extravaganza. It is marketed as oaky and peaty, for a late night with a cheese pairing. Bottled at 48.9%abv, it has a pale gold color. On the nose, it is very peaty and a little too powerful. A Rubber kind of peat. Pineapple and recently baked brownies. Burnt hay, fresh gooseberries. Strong mint candy. Very fresh with a lovely honey note. After 3 minutes this has become a honey candy. After the first sip, the peat, mint and everything harsh has tamed, a small honey and salt is the only thing present. On the palate, it is an instant sea wave.  Very salty, a little honey and some pineapple heart. The spiciness is exactly as bitting the pineapple heart. The second sip is full of honey. Candied almonds. Aftertaste is incredible. Burnt wood, maritime, salty, oak spice and beautiful island peat. Incredible finish. Burnt hay and bonfire. It felt truly amazing. Overall, this has the Compass Box Signature all over it. It is very enjoyable and not overly complex. It delivers a very good amount of peat. The palate is not super great but manages to survive. My score for it is an 88 over 100.

Nose - peat smoke - peat moss - salt salt - tobacco - red apple - pear - dark chocolate - mint - subtle lime zest Palate - peat moss - sea weed - tobacco - sea sat - dry - dark chocolate - mint chocolate

Great after taste with delayed soothing burn. Flavorful and elegant.