Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength

I've been contemplating this unusual, large (1.75L) bottle since acquiring it in 2016. I intended to open it around the holidays and compare it with the standard Peat Monster. Tonight is the night. And why not include the newest peaty creation from this producer, No Name, for a three-way comparison... Peat Monster Cask Strength delivers exactly as its name suggests: the beloved Peat Monster straight from the source. It's a robust 57.3% ABV, with no added color and no chill filtration, consistent with all previous releases from this producer. It appears as a pale yellow, oily liquid that shows no legs in the glass. Peat Monster is composed of a blend featuring 40% Laphroaig, 20% Le Daig, and 13% Caol Ila from the Scottish Isles and Islay. Additionally, 26% Highland malt from Ardmore is combined with a portion of this producer's base blend (Clynelish, Teaninich, Dailuaine). This special bottling was limited to 2,000 units and released in 2015. Finding one now would be challenging. I paid $165 for this half-gallon behemoth. The aroma is smoky and salty, with light toffee and caramel notes partially obscuring subtle vine fruits. The higher ABV introduces some sharpness, but it doesn't significantly detract as I initially suspected it might. The palate offers fruity notes along with beeswax and earthy peat and smoke, which transition to a salty, drying sensation around the midpoint. The finish is long, largely due to the increased potency of the cask strength. A final briny, malty characteristic rounds off the experience. Overall, it's a superb dram that reveals the genius behind the creator's vision for Peat Monster. The way he adapts it for the standard release is pure brilliance. Tasting it alongside the regular Peat Monster made me re-evaluate how wonderful that bottle is. Peat Monster is a whisky that should be a staple on every enthusiast's bar. No question. The cask strength version earns a 4-star rating, and the original Peat Monster receives a high 4.5 stars. Try both if you have the opportunity. Cheers. Regarding the 2017 release No Name, more details to come...

Tonight is a cold evening in the northeast. "Winter is here" (lol). I worked late and am now watching football (Cheering for the team that isn't the Cowboys [the Rams]). A perfect night for a bit of peat to provide warmth. Let's add more potency: a cask strength Peat Monster. This was an extra provided generously by a friend during the SDT group that was offered. The color is almost clear with just the faintest golden hue. The initial smokiness isn't overpowering, which is surprising given its name. It's present but balanced by sweetness and fruitiness. Vanilla cream, apricots, pears, and lemon zest. A subtle salty note from the sea provides a savory quality. A waxiness comes through, bringing to mind wax bottle candy. This is where the Peat Monster lives up to its name, on the palate. A wave of smoke and pepper with a heat trail. Lemon rind is present throughout. Without water, the body is medium-weight with an oily texture. To soften the bite from the 57.3% strength, adding water is advised. The dram becomes more approachable and improved. The palate turns more ashy with a hint of vanilla sweetness. Lemon pepper with some oak becomes noticeable with the addition of water. It still remains spicy and hot. At the end of it all, the mouth is left with the sensation of having smoked a full-bodied cigar and bitten on a lemon wedge. Ultimately, the palate is left dry, bitter, ashy, peppery, salty, and sulfuric. The final sensation is a deep warmth in the soul. Truly a monster. You're slightly deceived by the nose but are hit on the palate with a powerful force. Pace yourself to fully appreciate it, and peat enthusiasts will be rewarded. The team at Compass Box are masters at blending and producing flavorful, vibrant whisky. [88/100][Tasted: 1/12/19]

This was a bonus sample for the tour, given by a friend. I loved the original Peat Monster from Compass Box Whisky. Let's see how this cask strength version performs. Bottled at a significant 57.3% ABV, this blended malt has a natural pale gold color and is non-chill filtered. The nose is sweet and peaty all the way. Creamy vanilla, apricots, peaches, and lemons. Brine, peat smoke, and bonfire ashes. The nose wasn't very expressive, so I added some water to see what it could reveal. Water brings out more vanilla and some light oak. Smoky prunes and a pleasant waxy note. Not much else developed. The palate is peppery and hot. Lots of peat smoke. Very restrained due to the ABV and the sheer overwhelming pungency. I had to add water. Ashes, creosote, and some medicinal notes. Much of the heat persists. Light orchard/stone fruits are present but muddled together. It was quite a challenge to get through. Full-bodied mouthfeel, oily and mouthwatering, also, like boiling hot lava. A long finish, ashy, peppery, semi-sweet, and some mild oak. What can I say...it's simply too intense for me straight from the cask. The blender knows his craft, and the standard Peat Monster demonstrates that. This is just a massive peaty, peppery punch with no subtlety. I feel sorry for my friend, having to get through that 1.75L bottle. Hope he can find a new tongue on Amazon. 3.75 Cheers

I had the chance to sample this powerful spirit thanks to a friend. They apparently bought a large bottle, likely enough to serve a small crowd. I haven't tried the regular version, but if this is representative, it's a must-have for peat lovers. Without knowing the specific components (I know the distillery is usually open about them, but I'm too weary to look it up tonight), I'd guess the majority is Laphroaig and Caol Ila. You can detect the medicinal qualities of Laphroaig and the crisp sea saltiness of Caol Ila. I would have rated it higher if I hadn't recalled liking another bottling slightly more. This is excellent on its own, but if I had a limited budget of around $150, I'd choose the other one over this. This offers better value for money, considering the large size, but the other had a stronger impact. The regular version is likely the best value for money (that other one, by the way, I found pricey. Excellent, but expensive). Thanks to my friend for this!

The first aroma I detected was smoked bacon, which immediately grabbed my attention. I'm not familiar with their recipe, but I suspect Caol Ila due to the pleasant smoke, with perhaps a touch of Ardbeg for its earthy characteristics. Clynelish likely contributes the smooth mouthfeel and floral/citrus notes of lavender. There are subtle hints of lemon, mango, and orange in the background. It has a pleasingly heavy mouthfeel, a bit warm because it's cask strength, but a great combination of all those flavors on the palate. I wish I had one of those novelty hats that hold bottles so I could have two straws from two 1.75-liter bottles. =D LOL... I don't usually go for blends, but Compass Box has earned my respect, and this is another outstanding glass. Thanks for letting me try it! I rate it 4.0 and am eager to try more of their offerings. The texture of this dram should be slightly thick and chewy. Perhaps it pairs well with "Cowboys from Hell" by Pantera.

The Peat Monster, an NAS blended Scotch whisky from Compass Box. Price $60.00, tasted on 12/9/15 with one teaspoon of water in a Glencairn nosing glass. Aroma - Faint hazelnut, soy-seasoned bacon bits, a hint of char and ash, shoe polish, butter, medicinal smoke, lime, herbal notes, and cereal/vegetal undertones. Taste - Sweet initially, with gentle smoke, some lightly sweet almond paste, apple, and ginger. Finishes with a rapidly fading flavor and burn. Final score: 5/5, would repurchase.