Dreaming-of-Islay
Compass Box No Name
Blended Malt — Scotland
Reviewed
December 25, 2017 (edited October 21, 2024)
Thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample! My read on this blended scotch is that my palate isn't really sensitive enough to discern the differences between Ardbeg and Caol Ila at a 7:1 ratio, and certainly not enough to pick out a small proportion of Clynelish's Highland malt when combined with so much assertive Islay scotch. At the end of the day, this tastes like a slightly more aged version of Ardbeg 10, which it kind of is. The rumors indicate that the Ardbeg in this bottle was distilled in 2003, which would make this 13- to 14-year old 'Beg. Its scents are consistent with that rumor, as I experience some crispy smoked pork rinds right out of the gate, then oil and lime (citrus being an Ardbeg signature). The palate is surprisingly mild -- who knows, I may be saying this because I'd had two other Islay scotches right before this one -- and has more lime than anything else. The finish is unmistakably Ardbeg: barbecue smoke and lime, with sweetness on the upswing. This is not easy to find and priced at $125 or more, but I'm not sure it adds enough to the Ardbeg distillery character to warrant the ask. The more experienced Compass Box aficionados may be able to pick out notes here that I didn't get. My sense is that this is a dram for the experienced scotch drinker with a sensitive palate.
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