Type: Vatted Malt (a blend of single malts from different distilleries)
Tasting Notes: The aroma is a highly aromatic combination of fruit, spice & marine peatiness in the form of a beach bonfire. Adding water brings out aromas that remind you of burning ropes & a touch of iodine. In the mouth it is very full on the palate, rich & loaded with flavour: a bacon-fat smokiness, full-blown peat, a maltiness, hints of fruit & spice. The finish goes on seemingly forever, echoing peat & smoke for several minutes after you've had a sip.
Lead Distilleries: Caol Ila, 10 & 11 years-old; Ardmore, 12-17 years-old
Casks: First Refill American oak, ex-bourbon
Bottling
Details: 46%, not chill filtered, natural colour
Drinking Recommendations: More of an after dinner & into-the-late-hours-of-the-evening-type of whisky. Drink it neat or with a few splashes of (bottled, preferably) water. Excellent with certain kinds of blue vein cheeses.
John's Notes: This one's for the real peat heads, & for lovers of complex, multilayered malt whisky. What makes it fit into the Compass Box house style is the balance of richness & subtle sweetness that the old casks of Ardmore provide to the smoky-peaty Caol Ila. As with all our whiskies, several months of marrying allow all the flavours of each of the whiskies to knit together to form what is our biggest & most complex offering. Not over the top, (that's just not our style), but big, complex & balanced.