Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana (70cl, 46%)

Peat Monster Arcana is a blended malt from Compass Box, put together in London and bottled in August 2020 at 46% without chill-filtration or added colour. It follows the Peat Monster recipe, with smoke from Islay and pepper from Skye, then matures it in ex-bourbon casks and in refill and custom-made hogsheads. Malt from Miltonduff in Speyside adds roundness. The edition runs to 8,328 bottles. The nose brings peat smoke, sea spray, preserved lemon and vanilla with a little black pepper. The palate is rich and smoky, with salted caramel, pear, spice and toasted wood. The finish is long, with ash, pepper and malty sweetness.