Compass Box The Peat Monster Blended Malt 750ml

A new year-round bottling, this is a blended Scotch that showcases several Islay distilleries, with an eye toward “depth and elegance.” Look for a pale gold hue and a floral, grassy, salt-breezy aroma that reflects a delicate hint of peat smoke. The palate is more robust; think shovelfuls of peat, though it pulls back just short of the overwhelm point, allowing hints of vanilla sweetness and grassy freshness to peek through.

The much-beloved Peat Monster was recently given a new recipe designed to create greater depth and elegance. The peat influence, while still omnipresent, is now more subtle. On the nose it’s gentle and fragrant, wafting over candied citrus, lemon-frosted cake, and raspberry, along with classic peated undertones of charcoal and iodine. The palate is creamy in texture, with pleasant notes of brine, seashells, ashiness, and a floral peat influence that swirls gently around rich vanilla, tropical hints of lime, smoked meats, and generous spice. The finish offers bitter chocolate, lemon hard candy, and a bang of spice and smoke.