Compass Box Secrets of Smoke Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (70cl, 52%)

A limited blended malt from Compass Box, developed by James Saxon and bottled in September 2024 at 52% in a 70cl bottle. 9,792 bottles were filled. The colour is natural, and the whisky is lightly filtered through a 5 micron filter but not chill-filtered. It combines smoky malts matured in a range of wine-influenced casks. The largest part is The Peat Monster from second-fill Spanish red wine casks, joined by Caol Ila from first-fill Palo Cortado butts, Ardmore from first-fill sherry hogsheads, Laphroaig from first-fill Marsala barriques and Bowmore from refill bourbon barrels. Coastal smoke leads the nose, with honey, toasted marshmallow, buttery pear, raisins and smoked lemon peel. The palate is oily and spicy, with pear, peach and melon before citrus. The long finish pairs chocolate with drying peat smoke.