Compass Box The Peat Monster Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Compass Box The Peat Monster Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is the core peated blended malt, bottled at 92 proof, natural colour and not chill-filtered. Since the 2019 recipe it is mostly Islay: about 64% Caol Ila and 35% Laphroaig from refill hogsheads, plus a teaspoon of Highland malt from heavy-toast French oak. Sweet, aromatic smoke leads; heavier medicinal peat sits behind it, with sea spray, spiced apple, and vanilla cream in the gaps. This is the 46% core bottle, not the cask-strength editions. Sam Ross used it as the original smoky float in the Penicillin at Milk & Honey.

Sweet driftwood smoke and medicinal peat open over candied citrus, lemon-frosted cake, and raspberry. The sip is creamy brine, vanilla, lime, and smoked meat, then bitter chocolate, lemon candy, and a bang of smoke. The monster is more sweet smoke than scare.