Compass Box The Peat Monster + 2 glasses / 46%/ 0.7l

Compass Box Whisky Company was founded in 2000 by John Glaser, previously marketing director of UDV, the previous incarnation of Diageo.

The company specialises in blended malt and blended grain whiskies and has a reputation for disclosing details of their recipes. The Peat Monster debuted in 2003 and remains the company’s signature. Its formula changes slightly from edition to edition, with the latest featuring Laphroaig 34%, Ledaig 6%, Caol Ila 54% and Ardmore 6%, all aged in refill hogsheads. The remaining 1% is a ‘Highland Malt’ (60% Clynelish, 20% Dailuaine and 20% Teaninich) finished for a minimum of two years in French oak barrels.

Nose : smoky-salty, slightly hospital, barley malt, tobacco, leather, vanilla, honey, pepper, sea salt, lemongrass, traces of cinnamon and oak.

Palate : peat smoke, honey, vanilla, green apples, lemon peel, salted butter, seaweed salad, a pinch of pepper and a hint of sea breeze.

Finish : quite long, with notes of peat smoke, vanilla, summer fruits, lemon peel, a pinch of cinnamon, pepper and oak.