Whisky : Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana

Country/Region : Scotland/Blended Malt

ABV : 46%

Cask : French Oak, First Fill Bourbon, Rechar Barrel, Refill Hogshead

Nose : Maritime, peat reek, and grass. Mellow acrid peat reek and citrus gave way to hay, burnt grass, and menthol. Subtle meaty smoke hid behind layers of lemon, ginger, peppercorns, and honey.

Palate : Medium to light body with excellent structure and notes of citrus, salt, and autumn. Hints of sweet pipe tobacco complimented forward notes of grass, burning underbrush, and dried leaves. Autumn stretched across the palate with freshly lit campfires, mild earthiness, and warm ginger root tea. Toward the back end were dried citrus, menthol, and cream.

Finish : Mellow ginger lemon honey tea with wisps of smoke.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Early Autumn Camping

Notes : A drinkable and complex blend composed of 72.9% Talisker, 10.6% Miltonduff, 9.6% Peat Monster aged in heavily toasted French oak barrels, and 6.9% Ardbeg. Peat Monster Arcana took the original Monster and dialed up the complexity and crisp flavors— this was almost more the mutant spawn of Compass Box’s No Name and Peat Monster than the simple evolution of the Peat Monster. It was perhaps something a bit closer to what I initially imagined a monstrous peated dram might be— though if the monsters were the friendly natured variety from Where the Wild Things Are rather than an imposing beast.

I enjoyed how some of the blend components shined through. The salty-citrus Talisker was readily apparent, and even the humble Miltonduff lent some of its creaminess (though not quite the cream-cheese frosting I associate with it). Elements of the original peat monster were present, but the overall experience felt elevated with a much fuller mouthfeel and finish. I wish I could try this at cask strength as, while it felt full, it felt full like a goose-down pillow, stuffed full of flavor and still somehow on the lighter side.

Overall, this was a delicious blend and a real testament to how Compass Box can elevate the components of a blend to tell a new story. I wish this were cask strength— and I also wish the price was not quite so steep. A friend was kind enough to share this with me. When bottles appeared locally, they retailed near two hundred dollars which put them a fair bit outside the range of a good value proposition.

Image Credit: The Whisky Exchange