Compass Box Flaming Heart 15th Anniversary Limited Edition

Years ago, I was primarily a bourbon drinker. Now, looking at my reviews here, you might assume I still am. Believe me, it's mostly because I'm a dedicated scotch enthusiast, and many of my bottles are single barrels that are difficult to post here (easily) that I acquire now. But what truly shifted my perspective, what led me down a path of exploring the intricacies of scotch? It was this blend, of all things. It propelled me to embark on a journey into challenging flavors and experiences. I seldom keep empty bottles; I have a few, mainly because I thought they'd serve well as infinity bottles. But this is one I preserved the bottle and packaging from all those years ago. It's not the marketing, but the recollections of this once transformative whisky. Never before had I encountered peat and sweetness in such a manner. The fusion of two elements I greatly enjoyed, yet it was so distinct and unique. At that time, I had only heard rumors of what's in blue label, what I'd call extremely aged whisky (30+ years old), but this also provided me with a substantial 27% measure of that. So, after years of anticipation and one bar tasting that wasn't under ideal conditions (I had been drinking that day), will this still measure up to my memory? Nose - First, this is an exceptionally rich and aromatic scotch. In terms of sheer aroma, it's a 9 out of 10. There's smoke and earth initially, but as it rests in the glass, I'm detecting a dominance of waxy floral notes and apple orchard characteristics from the Clynelish malt. Charred barrel and hints of younger spirits are well integrated. An vigorous swirl and a glass topper reveal burnt rubber and traces of tar. With each sniff, the whisky offers a slightly new element. Now, roasted vanilla and faint hints of chocolate emerge. A very slightly bitter oak note is present. Balanced combinations of fruit, sweetness, earth, bourbon cask maturation, and a very subtle peat seem to harmonize with everything else. Taste - The palate takes a different turn. Where the nose presented a flawless blend of these elements, the taste profile introduces more notes reminiscent of older Islay, more oak, more earth, and perhaps more bitterness. Wax characteristics from the Clynelish are present. Fruity notes, almost like vanilla-infused bourbon, also appear. While the nose is a 9 in intensity, the whisky drinks more like a 6. It's not muted, but considerably more average in boldness, which is somewhat surprising at 48.9% ABV. However, the finish almost elevates things back to perhaps an 8. Alcohol lingers, coating the gums and leaving behind wood spice and well-aged, peat-faded Caol Ila. The intensity has subsided somewhat but has imparted a wonderfully complex whisky. While on the nose, I believe the addition of younger Highland blend contributed positively, here I could do without it. There's a candy corn-like note that I suspect comes from the younger spirits; perhaps 10% was a bit much. It still surprises me each time I drink this that the alcohol only becomes apparent on the finish; it's quite startling. So, after over 4 years of drinking, and now being among the less expensive scotches in my collection (at least at retail), how does Flaming Heart 2015 hold up? Well....remarkably well. This remains one of the most satisfying and complete whisky experiences I can recall. A finish that endures and lingers for days. A nose worthy of praise. And while the initial flavors aren't astounding me, they remain pleasing, enjoyable, and truly a perfect prelude to a finish that could replace cigars. There are flaws and imperfections along the way. A bit of roughness and sharpness from some less refined whisky. Still, for my money, this remains a bargain under $200, maybe even under $250. I estimate a fair average price to be in the low $300s. At that point, I might still consider a backup for sentimental reasons, but I wouldn't be rushing to buy one.

A generous sample of this limited edition from a friend allowed me to finally try it tonight, and I'm pleased I did. This is a blended malt Scotch, made from a mix of two different vintages of Caol Ila, Clynelish, and Dailuaine. I'll skip the details on age, percentages, and cask types as they are readily available. Bottled at 48.9% ABV, it's non-chill filtered and naturally colored, like all Compass Box whiskies. It has a golden straw hue. The nose leads with intense peat smoke and bright citrus, like grilled lemons. I detect notes of salty baked whitefish with green olives on a plank of green oak. It's an unusual combination, but it works. Burnt wood/campfire ashes emerge, settling into a scent reminiscent of a cozy fireplace in my in-laws' basement during Christmas. As the strong smoky notes fade, a lovely wave of warm vanilla buttercream, toffee, caramel, and toasted coconut takes over. There are also pleasant, though somewhat subdued, fruits like peach, apricot, and pineapple. Dark chocolate rounds out the profile. The palate begins with vegetal peat and sooty smoke. It tastes like smoked shellfish in a lemon/lime brine with herbs. Baking spices such as nutmeg, clove, and pepper are present. Creamy vanilla, oak, and dark chocolate follow. Soft leather notes and perhaps a faint hint of tobacco are also noticeable. With every sip, the smoke is the first impression, but you adapt to it and can then discern the other flavors. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, starting oily and becoming dry. The finish is medium-long and dry, with abundant cold ashes, peat, and vanilla. This is a skillfully crafted blended malt Scotch. While I haven't tried the individual components as single malts (but I will soon), they harmonize beautifully. The predominantly American oak casks contribute to the vanilla and toffee notes, as well as the nutmeg and overall smoothness. It exhibits considerable maturity, with peat still playing a significant role in its character. Although I'm giving it the same score as the Lost Blend, I still consider the Lost Blend to be the top Compass Box offering for me. My thanks again to the friend for the delightful sample. Score: 4.5.

As our distillery tour's second part approaches, I felt compelled to tackle a couple of bottles I've had open for about a month. Tonight's the night. First up is Compass Box Flaming Heart (15th Anniversary). This was bottled in July of 2015, with 12,060 bottles in total. It's the 4th edition in the Flaming Heart series. The blend is approximately 65% Caol Ila (14 & 30 year old), 24% Clynelish (20 year old), and 10% Dailuane (7 year old). It's bottled at a strong 48.9% ABV and is non-chill filtered. Enough of the technical details... The aroma is intensely peated, with faint notes of red berry fruit, cookie dough, and bourbon cask wood. There's a lot of smoke, so you really have to wait and dig in to find the other scents. It's worth the effort, though. The first taste is almost entirely peat. You can tell it's mostly Caol Ila in the blend. It truly dominates, or rather, excels here. I'm a big fan of Caol Ila, and that makes this another success in my opinion. Sea salt and briny seaweed cling to the palate towards the finish, which, to me, makes you want another sip. The finish is rich and oily. There's not much burn, and it fades quite quickly. This isn't my favorite Compass Box by any means, but I'd never pass it up, haha. Overall, it smells better than it tastes, and the taste is rather one-note: peat. But, if you enjoy oily, peat bog whisky, then look for a bottle and try it. I spent over $100 on this bottle, which is less expensive than their newer blends, yet a bit more than their standard offerings. Buy it simply because it contains 50% whisky older than 20 years. That makes the price quite reasonable, in my view. 4.25 stars. Cheers to you all.

The 2015 Flaming Heart edition offers unmatched value. While Compass Box has recently priced their limited releases high, this one deserves a much higher cost. Many of their special bottlings aim to replicate Brora, and this blend evokes the finest Brora I've ever had, or indeed, the finest whisky: 1972 Rare Malts Brora. It possesses such a refined, balanced peat. Subtly powerful and sophisticated; this is one to savor on the nose for an hour. The palate is astonishing, unfolding slowly. The initial taste is delicate, and the flavors gradually emerge and build upon each other. As one flavor recedes, three new ones appear, intensifying the flavor profile like dancing brooms. Maltiness, seaside, earthy, medicinal, citrus, pineapple, chocolate, savory notes. Every element is present, and each sip offers a unique experience as the spirit airs. The finish is magnificent, with a long-lasting impression.

Age: No Age Statement Alcohol Content: 48.9% Price Paid: $107 Components: 1: 38.5% Caol Ila, 14 years old, matured in a refill American oak hogshead 2: 27.1% Caol Ila, 30 years old, matured in a refill American oak hogshead 3: 24.1% Clynelish, 20 years old, matured in a rejuvenated American oak hogshead 4: 10.3% blend of Clynelish, Teaninch, and Dailuaine, matured in "highly active" new French oak hybrid barrels This continues to be a top-tier whisky for me. Over a quarter of this blend consists of 30-year-old Caol Ila. Caol Ila ages incredibly well, developing into a rich, smooth, alluring, and oily spirit. The genius of this bottling is that the remaining 72.9% of the components elevate it beyond what a 30-year-old Caol Ila alone would offer. The aroma features subtle meaty and hickory peat, suggesting the oily and waxy texture on the palate. It presents soft fruity notes, complemented by balanced leather, salt, and oak elements. The taste and finish combine the refined, savory, citrusy peat from the aged Caol Ila; the waxy, floral, acetone characteristics of the aged Clynelish; with just the right touch of vibrancy from the younger components. This might very well be the finest affordable blended malt ever made. MARK: 96/100. If you can still find it, purchase it!

Absolutely phenomenal! I'm a massive admirer of Compass Box; they are among the few blenders whose creations genuinely surpass the sum of their parts. This whisky is the embodiment of a starlet: visually stunning, incredibly smooth, alluring, perfectly proportioned, and possessing a depth that invites profound reflection. How could a review site possibly rate it so low? Did they taste the same spirit? The nose is zesty and citrusy, hinting at the Caol Ila within. I can sense its alluring fragrance, beckoning me for a taste. The palate is robust, lemony, and features clean smoke. Truly remarkable. It's like lemons grilled over a barbecue. The finish is delightful, lingering, and leaves you wanting more. I'm eager for another glass, and then another, until I'm completely spent and dawn breaks. I might even call in sick to enjoy its company all day long. Yes, this is my ultimate whisky muse.