Compass Box Flaming Heart Batch 5

About three years ago I tried the Flaming Heart from Compass Box, a blended malt that is composed with care by John Glaser and his team. This 5th edition was released to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Flaming Heart. This version is 38.5% 14 years old Caol Ila, 27.1% 30 years old Caol Ila and 24.1% 20 years old Clynelish. The remaining 10.3% is a vatting of 7 years old Clynelish/Teaninich/Dailuaine that was left to marry on French oak for an additional two years. The SWA was not amused when Compass Box revealed the exact composition, which I found rather weird. I would say knowing exactly what is in the bottle is a good thing.

Wonderfully round and succulent nose in which the older Caol Ila immediately puts its foot down: yellow apples and almond paste supported by a salty touch. Some soot, candy floss and chocolate. The waxiness that we might expect from Clynelish does not disappoint. This is a very, very good nose, that invites you to sniff it for ages.

Great mouthfeel, nicely creamy. Immediately a big development of smoke with a nice spiciness. Salt and pepper, but also mint. No, make that eucalyptus. Wonderful. Then the apples kick in. A bit leathery. Coffee? Nice indeed. Some citrus emerges. Very peaty now. More than the nose made me expect.

The finish is wonderfully long, spicy with a grand medicinal finale. Leaves the mouth completely dry.

Yes, this is the kind of whisky that puts my heart on fire. But then, the largest part is two of my favorite whisky’s: Coal Ila and Clynelish (which is also why I loved the Eleuthera). This was destined to be absolutely fabulous.

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