Compass Box No Name 2

While the No Name 1 was pretty much peat in your face Ardbeg, this No Name 2 is somewhat more delicate, but no less interesting. Au contraire, I’d say. The recipe consists of 75.5% Caol Ila, 10.5% Talisker, 13.5% Clynelish and 0.5% of their own Highland Blend. The result is this outstanding, surprisingly pale, blended malt.

Delicious nose on sea breeze, walnuts, mashed potatoes, stock fish, vanilla, honey, oyster sap, new bicycle tires, melon and sugar candy. OMG! And the peat? That is so discrete that it barely registers on the nose. A hint of smoke in the distance, that’s it. Complex, intriguing and absolutely fabulous. But that’s just me.

It starts off a bit dry with lots of ashes, soot, ship’s ropes and even some plastic bags before the melon and banana can show themselves. Some black pepper and liquorice. Honey, vanilla and some Haribo bears follow suit, although they struggle to get past the smokescreen. Yes, it’s true, the peat is much more outspoken on the palate.

Caol Ila takes a bow and then steps back, giving the Talisker a little nudge, which in turn smiles somewhat shy and says it’s a team effort. Touched to tears, the Clynelish looks on. Great finish.

What a top whisky! Completely different from the No Name 1, it is true. But where the No Name makes me a happy camper for a dram or two, this No Name 2 can accompany me all night long. Such and ‘enjoy-whisky’! Around 120 EUR. Worth every penny.

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