Compass Box Flaming Heart 10th Anniversary

Flaming Heart is a blended malt, put together from whiskies that matured on refill bourbon casks, heavily charred French oak and a couple of sherry casks. The precise malts used is a well kept secret, although we do know that it contains a southern coast Islay malt and some Clynelish.

Hmm, the nose takes you directly to Islay. The peat and the salt are the first things to emerge. But not in your face and nicely upholstered by creamy beeswax, apples and even a slice of banana. A gentle diesel fume, which works wonderfully, not detracting at all. Some menthol and some green tea. This is very complex.

The attack is powerful and peppery, again lead on by the peat. But on the palate, it turns even more complex than on the nose. All kinds of citrus, but also marzipan, cough syrup and liquorice. Midpalate it turns quite salty. A slightly tropical note in the background vainly tries to break through. Mightly, smoky, mysterious malts.

Even in the long and warm finish, it does not lose any of its power. Smoke, salt and sweetness linger for quite a while.

Brilliant whisky, really. John Glaser knows his stuff. Around 90 EUR. Recommended!

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