Compass Box Great King Street Experimental TR-06

The second Experimental Batch is thisTR-06, which has a smoky character. It consists of 33% grain whisky from the Lowlands, the rest is Islay malt, upholstered with Highland and Speyside malts. A large dose (about half of the malts) is Clynelish.

The nose is only mildly medicinal and smoky, but nicely salty. Earth. A bit waxy. Give it enough time, though, because then it will turn crisp on green apples and vanilla. Even some candied orange peel. Pretty good, in fact.

Soft, but clean arrival on the palate. Much more smoke than on the nose, how. I detect tar and ashes, pepper and salt (almost brackish) before the sweet fruit kicks in. Mostly apple and pear. The peat is prominent and sweet. A little nervous, though. Jumpy.

In the almost long finish it settles down, dries the mouth softly on a mild oakiness.

Also a beautiful blend that puts many a malt to shame, but I voted for the 00-V4, the sherry experiment. You can cast your own vote at greatkingstreet.com/experimental.

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