Compass Box No Name

See dual review of Octomore 8.3.

Stonkingly good. Like sucking on a piece of overcooked brisket. Okay, that may not sound gastronomically appealing but in a whisky it translates into a drink that’s deliciously meaty and smoky and dry. Sandwiched either side of these lip-smacking flavors are a typical Ardbeg nose of smoke and lemon Ricola cough drops and an aftertaste of bitter chocolate, barbecue sauce and tannins. There’s plenty of time to analyze that finish because it hangs around long enough to set up home in your mouth, unpacking its cigars and 90% cocoa Lindt bars and refusing to get off your couch. As a blend it’s outstanding. As a bastard cousin of purebred Ardbegs, it more than holds its own, easily outshining An Oa and even last year’s 21. If only those wayward relatives around your Thanksgiving table could so effortlessly assemble themselves into a whole that’s greater than their parts. Thanks again Pranay.

Compass Box's peatiest whisky yet. Makes their Peat Monster look like a pussycat. This is a mix of Ardbeg, Caol Ila, and Clynelish. Kids, this is not for the faint of heart, and in fact I thought it has a bigger punch than a recently tasted Octomore 7.3. Again, ppm is misleading. Open the cork, and you can smell burnt embers. My wife, a room away, asked if something was left burning in the oven. Taste: Charred meat, brine and smoked herring with a slice of lemon. Bigger emphasis on the charred meat. Long finish. I don't smoke, but I can imagine this being similar to a cigar finish. I got it for $100, but I'm going to guess that it'll end up becoming more as it makes its appearance stateside. I was asking myself why bother buying this if you can get Ardbeg 10 for much less. Well...I think what you get in here is the waxiness from Clynelish that you wouldn't otherwise from Ardbeg or Caol Ila alone. Sum of the parts is worth more than the individual pieces in this case. If price points are about the same---If I had to choose only one bottle---either Ardbeg 10, Corry, Lag16, or Caol Ila...I'd instead choose this.