Compass Box Ethereal (70cl, 49%)

This is Ethereal from Compass Box, a blended malt Scotch whisky bottled at 49% in a 70cl bottle. It combines four single malts, all between 17 and 26 years of age. A Highland malt from Old Pulteney makes up 43% of the blend and a Speyside malt from Miltonduff 17%. Two Islay malts, Caol Ila and Ardbeg, account for 39% between them. The nose opens with lemon juice, marmalade and lemon tartlets, unripe apple and green almonds, with sea spray, wet stone and pine needles. The palate stays tart and bright, with oranges, pink grapefruit and pineapple over vanilla, honey and a moderate peaty, tarry note. The finish is quite long, with bitter herbs, cloves, seawater and peat.