Compass Box Tobias & The Angel

What a fantastic evening for a sample pour, thanks to a friend. Golden straw color, likely around a specific gravity of 1.010. My apologies for the comparison for those who understand. A good swirl creates a dense ring that breaks into thick legs. Lovely aromas of sweet, almost Pilsner-like malt and honey rise from the glass from a distance. There's a significant amount of earthy peat, a touch of leather, and oddly, perhaps even denim. Digging deeper, there's a hint of ginger, oak, lemon rind, red berries, brine, sandalwood, and blonde espresso. So far, it seems well-balanced and unadulterated. The ethanol is implied rather than noticeable. It's comparable to a Johnny Walker Green without the smoke, or a more earthy and citrusy Springbank 10. Admittedly, my experience is limited, so I don't have many other great comparisons at this point. Perhaps a more floral Highland Park 12 without the smoke. It's incredibly satisfying upon tasting. A soft peat blanket arrives first, followed by a bit of warmth and sweet, almost floral malt, then more ginger and citrus... and these linger for a considerable time. In fact, the finish itself seems endless. It's like watching tai chi – nothing abrupt. Minutes later, the peat, mild oak, lemon, honey, and ginger persist. This is what I imagine a full-proof hot toddy should be. There's no real phenol, but it's almost medicinal in its own way. I have no idea of its age but would guess 15 years or more. Can someone confirm the identity? It's Tobias and the Angel! Wow, I almost feel guilty drinking this! It's good that the JW Green comparison wasn't too far off, as Caol Ila is a component of both. I've never tasted Clynelish or Caol Ila on their own, but this makes me want to try them. I don't think I could buy this without my wife potentially harming me and covering it up for my life insurance, which would almost cover the bottle's cost. I truly love it and am glad I haven't missed it yet because it continues to finish with a tai chi flow of sweet grain, peat, and spicy citrus. Indeed, old whiskey can be very good. I love this finish!!!

Nose: gentle peat, smooth vanilla, cooked apple and pear, milk chocolate, brown sugar, sea salt, honey, aged paper, coconut, caramel, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, deep maltiness, peach, orange, lemon, green notes, noticeable alcohol burn. Palate: smoked meat, mild peat, caramel, coffee, milk chocolate, baked apple, apple pie, nutmeg, coconut, rich vanilla, honey, cinnamon, apricot, lemon and orange peel, mint, hot pepper, ginger, damp grass, moderate alcohol sting, with a long finish of mellow peat, rich malt, and chocolate, plus citrus notes. The age is beautifully apparent. The harmony of smoke and fruit is incredible. The grain character remains but it is deeply rich and smooth. I find the Clynelish fruit notes slightly more prominent on the nose, while the Caol ila smokiness is more pronounced on the tongue. This is my initial encounter with whiskey of this age, and it's a revelation. I've heard that the peat character of Islay whiskies changes significantly with extended barrel aging, but this is my first direct experience. The peat is so gentle, nearly milky. What a remarkable transformation from its bold, fiery youth. This is outstanding whiskey, undoubtedly among the finest I've ever tasted. As one might anticipate with a blend incorporating components over 30 years old, it carries a significant price tag. Currently, the cost appears to be over $600. At that price, I cannot honestly say it offers good value. Nevertheless, if the budget allows, it's hard to imagine anyone being unsatisfied. I certainly am not. It's a complete showstopper, and my rating reflects this. Deepest thanks to a friend for the sample. This experience compels me to reconsider my other whiskey ratings. This concludes my series reviewing Compass Box, and it's a superb ending. Next, I will return home to evaluate a collection of four Lost Lantern products.

I have finally experienced a bottle I've been seeking since my whisky exploration began: the highly sought-after Compass Box Tobias & The Angel. This blended malt is acclaimed as a masterpiece, much like its label, which depicts a renowned Renaissance artwork also titled Tobias & the Angel. The painting illustrates a biblical narrative where the Archangel Raphael instructs Tobias to procure a fish, which will later prove beneficial. This artwork originates from Verrocchio's studio in 15th-century Florence, with the dog and fish notably rendered by Leonardo Da Vinci himself. It's a distinctive Blended malt composed of Caol Ila and Clynelish from undisclosed ages that are unlikely to be sourced again. Bottled at 47.6% ABV. The nose is wonderfully fruity, presenting red fruit punch and cherry syrup with beautiful fruitiness. If an orange spice note exists, this possesses it. After the initial taste, it offered a delightful vanilla note with sparkling water. Hints of lemon emerge. The palate is very sweet and pleasing, with notes of red fruits, salt, and pepper, alongside orange and vanilla wafer. The finish is lovely, with amazing smoke, sawdust, and a very ashy character, all perfectly executed with vanilla cream. Overall, this is an elegant, clean, and skillfully crafted whisky. A truly enjoyable dram, which is by no means worth the current market price of $700 per bottle. It is definitively a collector's item and a superb whisky that I'm glad to have sampled. My rating is a solid 91 out of 100. Cheers! (Update: this appears to be a 24-year-old blended malt, with the Clynelish being 24 years old and the Caol Ila reportedly older).

So, there's a lesson to be learned here... I'll let you readers figure it out. But the story unfolds like this: Given its attractive bottle adorned with classic artwork, I kept it displayed on my home office shelf between The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Last week, we hosted a number of friends and family to celebrate Diwali. I offered various selections to my guests—red wine, white wine, two mid-tier, dependable single malts (Balvenie 12 and Macallan Classic 2019), and even non-alcoholic cocktails made with Seedlip. However, my wife, who struggles to distinguish between Coors Light and Macallan Genesis, thought this bottle of Compass Box Tobias would look stunning positioned directly behind the homemade samosas. She was correct... it looked exceptionally pretty. But who would make a $400 bottle accessible to everyone?! Needless to say, before I even registered what had happened, someone opened it, and by the time I noticed, only a few sips remained. But those few sips were incredible. What you have here are two aged single malts (Caol Ila and Clyneish, both I believe over 30 years old or very close). Smooth, silky smoke weaves through waxy notes of apples and pears. Just a drop of water enhances the smoke further, making it more austere. As disappointing as it is, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have tried it. Interestingly, both the Balvenie and Macallan were left untouched and unopened.

Compass Box Tobias & The Angel Aroma: This remarkable blend of sweet and savory. Faint smoke, vegetal peat, violets, pressed flowers, and floral malt. Salami, soy sauce reduction. Wasabi & soy sauce almonds. Soft oak. Notes of sherry and dark fruit begin to emerge after a short while. It's absolutely gorgeous and alluring... you find yourself unwilling to pull away. It's like a beach covered in shells; the longer you stay, the more treasures you discover. Palate: Exquisite. Gently seductive. Nuance and complexity are key, with the quality of its aged barrels driving the experience. It's an elegant balance of brine, sweetness, and savory notes. A touch of light honey and sweet malt with subtle smoke. Rich floral notes, rose hips, bitter chocolate, almonds, the peat appears at the end, more woody and earthy with a pleasant kick of gentle barrel spice. A hint of velvety smoke completes it. Finish: Sweet malt and smokiness linger beautifully with a light touch of sour oak at the end.

The initial pour is not yet complete. The first impression is surprisingly dusty and spicy right from opening the bottle. This fades, revealing creaminess and subtle earthy notes with vanilla and citrus. It's a clash, or perhaps a collaboration, between the deep, peaty, ancient character of Caol Ila and the bright, fruity nature of Clynelish. It starts with citrus, shifts to smoke/peat, and finishes with floral citrus and spice, with sherry flavors subtly present throughout. A long-lasting finish reminiscent of aged whisky. This possesses some of the finest qualities found in old scotch, but it leans almost too sweet, like a dessert. I wish the darker peat notes were slightly more pronounced. Currently rated 85 out of 100, a mid-B grade heavily influenced by the premium cost. However, a whisky's initial pour should not be the sole basis for review.