Compass Box Flaming Heart Blended Malt / 48,9%/ 0,7l

Compass Box Whisky Company was founded in 2000 by John Glaser, former global marketing director of UDV, predecessor of Diageo.

The company specializes in blended malt and blended grain whisky and usually reveals formulas of each expression. Flaming Heart was introduced in 2006; it was the first whisky to combine the rich, complex spice of Scotch aged in new French oak casks with the evocative peaty and smoky Islay malt. The 2018 release was a vatting of Caol Ila, Clynelish, Teaninich, Benrinnes, Allt-a-Bhainne, Glen Ord, Dailuaine and Deanston aged in various casks including hogsheads, American oak and French oak casks. Only 15,050 bottles were produced.

Nose; fresh, smoky and slightly waxy, spring meadow, green apples, lemons, peaches, vanilla, touch of honey and delicate earthy notes.

Palate: smoky, sweet and spicy, vanilla, honey, grapefruits, apples, roasted nuts, lemon pepper, fresh herbs and whiffs of sea breeze.

Finish: pretty long, with notes of peat smoke and ash, vanilla, sea salt, mixed nuts, lemon peel and pepper.