Compass Box
Scotland
A peaty blended malt created by the renowned John Glaser, of Compass Box. The Peat Monster contains malt whiskies from the legendary Isle of Islay, along with a helping of Highland malt in there too. The result is richly smoky, with underlying hints of fruit and oak. Also, the the monster on the label looks like it's seen something particularly scary, which begs the question: what's scary to a monster...?
Peat, marked salinity, leans to Caol Ila in style, something medicinal. Sweet and fruity, grainy.
Peat, oak. Botanicals, floral, coppery, sweet, smoky bacon, hint of papaya.
A lingering sweetness, more peat, floral: roses and violets, sweet spice, oak.
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Forgot to add this!
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.
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.
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.
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.
