Compass Box The Peat Monster

Nose: Oily leather right off, citrus- something like lemon zest, rubbing alcohol.
Palate: Maple-wood-like sweetness, oak leaves, corn.
Finish: Long, toasty finish. Buttered corn, subtle peat.
The zestiness emerged more with a few drops of water.
Not at all the peat bruiser I was expecting, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

8th April 2018

Great value even though its a blend, and to the reviewer saying the colour was off?! That's because its non chill filtered and no colour added - it may be time to research basic Scotch Whisky terms. The amount of reviews done on peated stuff by non-peated fans makes no sense.
Amazing nose, body, mouth feel and finish makes this a great addition to any cabinet, and even though NAS it's amazing!

6th January 2018

Tasting notes are pretty spot on in my experience, drinking some as I type this out.

Brown Sugar to Band-Aids to Bacon that finishes with a sweet fruity note.
Complex and brutal, this is a great break from the norm and an excellent blended malt!

4th January 2018

This whisky deserves at least four stars. I've had a lot of Bourbon and single malt Scotch, and this can stand up with some of the best drinks I've had in my opinion. It's super drinkable, consistent and beyond tasty. Great balance if you enjoy peat, and certainly no monster. I suspect "Peat Princess" is a bit less marketable. Cheers!

13th July 2017

This seems to be a loved it / hated it drink. I really liked it. It blossomed in the mouth, not in the throat, and I liked that about it. I liked the different color and thought the taste was great.

20th June 2017

A very good whisky. Very long finish as I enjoy and just the right amount of peat for my liking. Color is a little off but the draw and hints of smoke, floral, and oak was a perfect combination. Will be back for more.

31st March 2017

I'm generally a fan of peaty whisky, but this one is far from a favorite. Far too sweet for my liking. I'm normally a neat guy, even at cask strength, but for this I need ice or at least a dash of water. Even with that its far too harsh a taste for me.

26th February 2017

It reminds me more of a Bruichladdich. Somewhere inbetween the Laddie Ten and the Port Charlotte. Sherry, sweet and smokey. Similarly priced where I am, its a matter of mood. Doesn't have quite enough sweetness to hold it in the mouth longer than needed to savor the smoke. Not bad, but not great, upgrade to something darker and smokier if you can.

15th November 2016

This is really Caol Ila with a little more added to the mix. A far more rounded palate than a couple of the base Islay offerings. Given that it retails from Dan Murphy's for about $25 less than Caol Ila 12 this is truly outstanding value. A far better dram than Laphroaig 10 and a genuine rival to Talisker 10 but usually cheaper.

14th September 2016

Is there peat? Aye. But it really suffers from a lack of depth.

Why anyone would drink this when you can get Islay single malts for the same price is beyond me.

Another style-over-substance effort.

11th September 2016

It tasted how kerosene smells.

22nd July 2016

Has the peatiness of a Talisker and the subtlety of a Speyside. As someone that enjoys both, I will definitely be buying another bottle.

1st June 2016

This was a $16 pour. When the lady poured my drink and it didn't have a caramel color I had questions. The smell was not medicine. The smell was like jet fuel mixed with perfume that your grandmother used to wear. And the taste, even worse! I offered it to several people at my table and a gentleman next to us. Each of them refused after smelling it. That is $16 I wish I had back. I certainly sit back that drink!

14th May 2016

Exactly which glass were you drinking this from? This actually much more complex than Islay single malts at the same price, and to be quite frank, I think your malt bias is shadowing you from actually evaluating this blend for what it is.

25th January 2016

Nice peaty flavor. Fairly smooth. Not like most blends in that the flavor is what you look for in an Islay single malt

19th January 2016

This is far from being the peatiest scotch out there. Laphroaig 10 yr is way peatier, and way more complex. I thought this whiskey lacked complexity: it's all about the peat, and not much else. I'd rather drink other Islay scotchs where the peat actually complements other rich aromas and flavours.

17th January 2016

One of my best, after Ardbeg ten and Octomore6.3. Long finish and nice tingling on the tongue. the guy who says its a Joke Whisky should go back to drink wine.

31st December 2015

It's Peaty, it's crisp but finishes harsh. Add a drop of water and this is a well balanced peat. Great company with a great selection this one is a great buy.

22nd December 2015

Not quite as smooth as Lagavulin 16 and not as smokey as an Uigedail, but it certainly satisfies my peat needs. Add a drop of water and it tones down the harsher finish and makes this a great dram!

22nd December 2015

I'm not very fussy, but I thought this was absolutely disgusting. I had to drink a big glass of Lagavulin to wash the chemical taste away.

20th December 2015

Certainly not as monstrous as even a basic Laphroaig or Ardbeg, never mind something like Laphroaig 10yo cast strength or Port Charlotte heavily peated, but this is a great dram. It's more subtle - smoky rather than full peat-in-your face and a pleasant spiciness in the finish which is l o n g. I sat for ages with it trying to place a distinctive nose/taste - there was a fishiness - but wasn't quite that. Eventually, it came to me - Lapsang Souchong tea - or as my wife used to call it when I drank it "fish tea" That was it exactly!

11th September 2015

Very long finish...I mean 20 minutes long! I love this Scotch, but the name kind of threw me for a bit. There are much peatier Scotches than Peat Monster. Peat monster is rated at 30ppm.. Bowmore is 30ppm, Lagavulin is 35ppm, Laphroaig is 40ppm, Ardbeg is 55ppm. This is a great dram and is one of my favorites, just want to manage everyone's expectations with the level of peat.

26th July 2015

Although a blend with similar intent as Big Peat this is definitely a more phenolic, tangy and medicinal peat beast, as opposed to the smokey damp wood of the big peat. Personally i prefer the big peat, there are bitter burnt rubber notes in the nost, and to a lesser extent, tha palate in the peat monster. Its still a fine blend but the big peat is a more complete experience, even if it hates goodbyes with its short lived Finish.

22nd June 2015

I think it's worth the price, very well balanced whiskey very satisfying!

15th June 2015

Quite a well balanced malt blend! Has that cirtus peat smoke u get in Kilchoman. Reminds me much of Big Peat too. It is sweeter than the mentioned whiskyes. Will definitly be buying another bottle for my whisky stash, this is worth tasting some other time. I wish the peat/smoke was stronger though.

29th May 2015

somehow has a slight fishy taste

28th May 2015

This is not a "blend". It is a blend of sing malts (not single grains). Really not all that peaty...however it has a very long finish that keeps me smiling. The only major fault is that CB named it Peat Monster (when Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg- all have offerings that are much peatier). Attractive nose...palate is nice, just not incredibly strong, but wow- the finish is 20 minutes long!!! Underrated due to a misleading name but well worth a try.

9th March 2015

Heavy peat smell that is raw and full of presence. Iodine and heavy salinity but rather light and subtle was consumed which is the opposite of what you are smelling. You expect a loud and embracing impact to hit you hard and then realize its sweet lemonade on a summer day. You don't even need water to bring out its sweetness since there is no smoke. Had to thank the bartender.

11th February 2015

I wish they were all bad reviews, then I'd buy it all for myself!
I bought 6 bottles and have been hoarding it ever since. My wife isn't happy.
5 stars!

1st February 2015

Exceptional

18th January 2015

Being named Craig Peat makes it difficult to judge fairly. All family members disagree from the worst thing I ever tasted to very subtly different and tasty

28th December 2014

If you like smoked salmon you definitely like this one... Well I rather eat it than ^drink it.

cheers

13th December 2014

This is delicious and very balanced. I think its the best blend I have tasted so far. The peat is very strong but not overwhelming. It lets soft floral flavours and sweetness come through. Also I found a kind of beefiness in this. In my opinion peat monster is a winner.

16th August 2014

Forgot to add this!

25th October 2013

Just cracked a bottle of this today, after pondering which peated and sherried whisky to get. This one, to be clear, is not sherried, but the addition of Ardmore, as well as something about the barrels used in maturation make this a fair bit sweeter than most that have not been treated in some kind of wine casks.

I was quite impressed with this, because as it hit my palate I had memories of another fine peated (and actually-sherried !) whisky, namely the Uigeadail. I won't venture to say that this is exactly like the Ardbeg, because I'm sure that would set all the peat-ravers astir, but it is pretty close. I think a large portion of the blend is Caol Ila, which along with the Ardmore, may account for the slightly fruitier, rounded kind of peat taste.

I won't go into the details because I honestly find those to be quite subjective but I would say this: Don't be a malt snob and don't be a peat snob. If you're considering buying this, do so, because it's damn good quality, and only a shade off single malts considerably more expensive.

24th October 2013

Based on the reviews we thought it would be worth a try but we must say that we are not really that impressed.

If you want to have nice peaty whiskies then don't go for this one.

23rd August 2013

A perfect example of the fact that a skilfully blended whisky can have as much to offer as a good single malt. Peaty and smoky as advertised, but with a balancing touch of burnt sugar that makes it both impressively potent and moreish. Equally suitable as an invigorating winter warmer or as the ideal accompaniment to a lazy hot afternoon, with a drop of water to reveal its full and rewarding palate.

23rd July 2013

The Peat Monster didn't blow me away but it's a pleasant bottle for the same price as a 12 year Caol Ila. Much of it IS Caol Ila, by the way. I think it's worth the money. Peat Monster goes great with blue cheese, bison jerky, onions, crackers and "man food" as my girlfriend calls it. I think for a smoky scotch it complements that sort of good quite well and would go with a big juicy steak as well, especially off the barbecue.

5th March 2013

Originally bought at waitrose stores.
NOW never to be seen. I ASK WHY?absolutely SUPPERB

7th April 2010

Tried a bottle of this at my local - theyve got quite a collection of Scotch malts. A bit disappointing that it really isn't that peaty, but nonetheless a good dram, maybe an introduction into peat? Good value though.

6th October 2009