Compass Box No Name No. 2

It has been a while since I reviewed a bottle from this brand, so let's fix that. I found this limited edition sitting on a dusty shelf, and it just came home with me... The nose has gentle smoke. Not enough to be overwhelming, but a pleasant touch that isn't too strong. There's also a subtle sweetness underneath that makes it quite enjoyable. The initial taste has layers of smoke and fruit. The blenders do an excellent job of just hinting at smokiness in a way that stays within the acceptable range for fans of this style. There are some light honey notes on the edges and a flavor like a caramel apple in the center. The finish is a smoky embrace with just a hint of warmth. Overall, this one is nice. The cost is a bit high, as is typical for the brand's limited releases. If you enjoy fruit with a touch of smoke, this is a great choice. It also serves as a good introduction to heavily peated spirits. Personally, I don't see myself fully embracing intense peat, but it's fun to explore!

How do you follow up a popular but not exceptional whiskey? By changing everything about it, naturally! I'm too lazy to check the ages for this review, but as I recall, this is a much younger and possibly lower quality follow-up, a pattern with this brand. However, it sounds appealing, and they increased the use of sherry casks. Nose - Gentle peaty notes, cream, butter, and some fruity hints. I detect a pleasant golden maltiness with light peat and slightly waxy fruits. I'm eager to taste this. Taste - There's not much here. I can detect the light sherry, a citrus and oaky bitterness, and then some pleasant but subdued peat. There's just not a lot of flavor. I knew to anticipate a very lightly peated version, but I'm not getting much. A lot of pepper is coming through, reminding me of another spirit in it. Overall, this isn't a terrible whiskey, but I don't consider it a success. Rated 1.5 out of 2.0 (average), this is frankly below average.

I sampled this at the Whisky Show among over two dozen other whiskies, so don't expect detailed tasting notes or a precise score. What I can say is that it's very different from its predecessor, which featured Ardbeg prominently, and perhaps just as delicious. I experienced two distinct waves of flavor: an initial burst of peat followed by a wave of richer sherry notes. This unusual sequential structure suggests it's a follow-up more like 'The Godfather Part II' than 'Jaws: The Revenge.' I look forward to the opportunity for a more thorough tasting.

Spend some time with the nose. Smooth layers of balanced vanilla, smoke, fruit, and malt. So wonderful and complex. Take a sip, and the middle reveals even more floral layers of fruit and subtle cake frosting, perfectly balanced with smoke and salt. What is this magic? It invites another taste. The texture is pleasantly oily, transitioning into a long, gently peaty melt that isn't too overpowering. My favorite of 33 tastes at a whiskey festival in Tampa.

The aroma is initially dry, mineral-like, and chalky with banana chips, but quickly evolves to reveal honeyed fruits, smoke, and freshly baked pastries, showcasing a lovely malty character underneath; the palate greets you with honey and smoke, accented by a malt kick, followed by sweeter dessert and fruit notes with a coastal influence woven throughout; the finish turns sweet with fruit and candy notes, eventually fading into the smoke.

Nose: Smells of smoked meat, ham, earthiness, and a bit of dirt, with a slight saltiness and light floral notes. Body: Very salty, like saltwater in the nose, intense, smooth, then a powerful crescendo. Palate: Tastes of ash, driftwood from a beach fire, charred wood, and lingering smoke; exceptionally well-balanced, like extinguishing candles. Finish: Extremely salty and smoky.