Compass Box – Flaming Heart 2018 Release (70cl, 48.9%)

Compass Box – Flaming Heart 2018 Release is a whisky from Compass Box. Bottled at 48.9% ABV, 70cl. Compass Box is a London-based independent bottler and blender of Scotch whisky, founded in 2000 by John Glaser. Glaser, a former marketing director at Johnnie Walker and Diageo, established the company with the goal of creating innovative and high-quality blended whiskies. They focus on non-chill filtered whiskies, without added coloring, and often utilize American oak for maturation. The company’s first release was the blended grain whisky Hedonism, which gained recognition as the World’s Best Grain Whisky in 2008. Other notable Compass Box whiskies include Hedonism, The Peat Monster (originally The Monster), and The Spice Tree. The Great King Street range, including Artist’s Blend and Glasgow Blend, was introduced later. In 2015, Bacardi became a minority shareholder in Compass Box, further expanding the company’s reach. In 2022, Caelum Capital acquired a majority stake, with Maurice Doyle becoming CEO and Glaser remaining in a guidance role. John Glaser recently stepped down as chief whisky maker, with James Saxon taking over. This blended malt is made using whisky from refill Bourbon barrels, new (heavily toasted) French oak and some sherried oak which is a great new addition! The whiskies are from distilleries across Scotland but there is a fair whack of a south shore Islay and a malt from the village of Brora (any guesses?). Please note minor wear to tube