ScotchingHard
Compass Box Flaming Heart 15th Anniversary Limited Edition
Blended Malt — Scotland
Reviewed
July 31, 2018 (edited July 2, 2021)
Age: NAS
Alcohol: 48.9%
Paid: $107
Components:
1: 38.5% 14 year old Caol Ila matured in refill American oak hogshead
2: 27.1% 30 year old Caol Ila matured in refill American oak hogshead
3: 24.1% 20 year old Clynelish matured in rejuvenated American oak hogshead
4: 10.3% blend of Clynelish, Teaninch, and Dailuaine matured in “highly active” new French oak hybdif barrels
This remains one of my favorite whiskies of all time. Over a quarter of this blend is 30 year old Caol Ila. Caol Ilas age exceptionally well, and become this decadent, refined, sultry, oily creature. What makes this bottle a true piece of art is that the other 72.9% of the ingredients make this better than a 30 yeasr old Caol Ila.
Gentle meaty and hickory peat is on the nose that hints at how oily and waxy this will be on the palate. Soft fruity notes, with a balanced assortment of leathers, salts, and oaks. The palate and finish are a combination of the patiently immaculate oily, savoury, citrusy peat from the aged Caol Ila; the waxy, floral, acetones of the aged Clynelish; with just the right amount of spikiness from the younger ingredients. This just may be the greatest affordable blended malt ever.
MARK: 96/100.
If you can still find it, buy it!
107.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Still prefer the lost blend to this one, but I’d never turn down a flaming heart if offered
I also love this. I should really buy a bottle.
Excellent review @ScotchingHard - and although I am repeating myself, but the Distiller score of 77 is a joke. Would fire that reviewer immediately ;)
@ScotchingHard probably the best, or one of the best,Compass Box. If I had to choose 3, I’d say The General, Circus, and this one.