Compass Box Whisky Co. The Peat Monster

Compass Box was launched in 2000 by the American John Glaser, who was previously International Marketing Director at Johnnie Walker. To promote his whisky, John travelled through London visiting pubs and bars with samples and, in idiosyncratic style, handing out business cards billing himself as; John Glaser "Whisky Zealot".

Compass Box's modus operandi and strong work ethic is what sets them apart as an independent bottler and blender like no other. Compass Box buy individual casks and focus on creating a craftsman-like boutique product. None of their bottlings are chill-filtered, nor is any colouring added and are all married exclusively in American oak. This brings the characteristic sweetness to the whisky.

Peat Monster

Still very much the whisky for those who love big, rich, smoky-peaty malts, The latest version Of The Peat Monster is older and more elegant than before.

Inspired by feedback from smoky whisky lovers, the new Painting Label of The Peat Monster incorporates single malts with a more aromatic and graceful style of smokiness. Compass Box have sought to retain the peaty intensity for which The Peat Monster has long been celebrated, whilst creating a depth and elegance not seen before.

New batches of The Peat Monster boast a spectrum of powerful coastal flavours, combining the smokiness of a driftwood fire with more medicinal peat notes. Orchard fruits and rich cask-derived creaminess balance the multi-layered smoke. It is a new peaty landscape, as the Painting Label shows.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Peat, marked salinity, leans to Caol Ila in style, something medicinal. Sweet and fruity, grainy.

Palate: Peat, oak. Botanicals, floral, coppery, sweet, smoky bacon, hint of papaya.

Finish: A lingering sweetness, more peat, floral: roses and violets, sweet spice, oak.