Compass Box Rolls Out Secrets of Smoke
Known as Secrets of Smoke, the new blend from Compass Box combines sweetness with peat smoke. The company uses a combination of Caol Ila single malt and Palo Cortado Sherry butts. The blend breaks down the layers and flavors of peated Scotch.
Peat Monster’s core range mixes Caol Ila and Laphroaig whiskies aged in oak barrels with 1% Highland malt. Laphroaig is finished in Marsala barrels, while Compass Box’s Peat Monster is finished in second-fill red wine casks.
On the nose, Secrets of Smoke exhibits sweet fruity, creamy, floral notes, with flavors of toasted marshmallow. This is followed by honey, buttery pears, and caramel. On the palate, the taste is described as being ‘oily and spicy’ with aromas of pear, peach, and melon.
Compass Box Rolls Out Secrets of Smoke
James Saxon, director of whisky making of Compass Box, commented: “Our limited editions allow us to spread our creative wings and concoct one-off expressions with unique recipes. With Secrets of Smoke, we wanted to build on the results of some of our cask experiments and enhance the unexpected sweetness of peated malts.”
Keeping with Compass Box’s label design, Secrets of Smoke incorporates a dark background and holographic foil to represent the sweet flavors of the blend. It is also said to pair well with fresh cherries, sharp blue cheese, and saucisson.
The 52% ABV spirit is limited to 9,792 bottles worldwide and will be available in the UK this month. The suggested retail price is $165 (US$213). The London-based company’s founder John Glaser stepped down from the Scotch whisky industry in February after 23 years.
Glaser’s departure was followed by the launch of Compass Box’s revamped core range in September. Santander supported the company’s international expansion with a loan of £35 million (US$45.4m).
A blend of Scotch whiskies is produced, bottled, and marketed by Compass Box Whisky, a company founded in 2000 by John Glaser, a former marketing director at Johnnie Walker.
