Compass Box The Peat Monster (Classic Brown Label)

A pale gold color, with long and spindly legs. The nose is a smoky peat right off the bat; tobacco smoke and the ash it leaves behind. The smoke is easy and pleasant like a campfire from a distance. The second wave is spicy cinnamon and a prickly clove; earthy brown leaves. A hint of bar soap? That flavor is unadulterated, briny sea salt, followed by charred wood ash. The peat is hitting right in the sweet spot. Reminds me of a fine cigar. As you let it sit a bit, there is baby oil and a resinous woodiness. The following flavor is mint/menthol. There is a good deal of barley there, but you have to chew on it a bit to get there. Bitter or semi-sweet chocolate. The finish is tobacco ash, like dried out charcoal the morning after a barbecue. And that smoke lingers for a long time. Black pepper. The tannins and metallics bring up the rear. When I first had this, I thought it was a little flat and lifeless, so I'm glad I spent some more time with it to appreciate its complexities.

Tastes like ardbeg 10 or maybe an oa but otherwise unremarkable. Would sample again in future though, maybe at a bar

Sample box: Nose is peat, mild fruit. Palate is far superior and distinct. Mild sweetness, fruty and smokey. Very accessible islay style whiskey.

First opened No water Nose - strong peat, subtle grain, Taste - good level of campfire smoke, nice oily mouth, a hint of green apple sweetness. Overall - good punch of flavor, good mouthfeel, nicely rounded edges, overall a delicious sipper

3rd and final sample of Compass Box blends. On the nose a familiar iodine cold ash peat embedded in a melange of crispy white bread, sweet tangerines, bitter oranges / grapefruit, light apples, a salty note, a bid of lemon and vanilla. Not overly sweet and surprisingly fresh. Checking the information sheet from CB the used distilleries are not a surprise: Caol Ila and Laphroaig mainly - all Bourbon cask matured only. The palate is a bid weird in an interesting way at first but then settles nicely with wooden smoke, vanilla sweetness, a welcome smoothness and a really amazing Islay peat. The finish is rewarding really. Sweet and peaty almost creamy and quite long with a bid of oak in the end. For sure the best out of the three CBs I had (Spaniard and Spice Tree being the others). It is a nice Islay whisky expression not over-fabricated. When you are a fan of typical Islay peat this bottle is a nice addition to your collection for sure. I like it.