Compass Box No Name No. 3
48.9% ABV - Blended, Scotland
Nose: I feel that in a blind nosing you could guess this is Laphroaig. There is a tarry rope, medicinal, wood peat smoke here—very similar to the Laphroaig An Cuan Mòr. Fruits and tropical fruits building in the background.
Taste: Initially lighter than I anticipated, the flavours build out through the arrival with light fruits, citrus, peaches, tropical notes—pineapple, fig, and some great barbecue smoke.
Finish: Hinting now on saline, but lots of the same fruits and smoke are here too—though not as complex. Medium length.
Ahh, the third and final instalment of the No Name trilogy by Compass Box. Each edition featured a different primary peated constituent: Ardbeg led the series of the gate, followed by Talisker, and now we have the Laphroaig–Bowmore duo closing it out. (Those last two are in my top 5 favourite distilleries, by the way…)
The Laphroaig is the dominant component and I think that it really shows. The Bowmore influence is definitely more in the shadows of its medicinal counterpart, offering only its florals and light fruits.
I took a calculated risk to buy two of these bottles blind. I figured that given the details of this bottle (see below) that it was more likely I’d like it enough to keep both, than I would dislike it enough that I would find a new home for the second bottle. I was really excited to open it up and taste—opened it up the day after I purchased it! (That tends to be a rarity with me…)
Details: A limited edition of 10,794 bottles. July 2021.
Whisky Components (as stated in email correspondence with Compass Box):
74.7% Laphroaig 15-Year (Recharred Hogshead)
11.3% Bowmore 18-Year (Refill Bourbon Barrel)
7.5% Mortlach 18-Year (Recharred Barrel)
6.0% Clynelish 17-Year (Refill Sherry Butt)
0.5% Highland Malt Blend 13-Year (Custom French Oak)
Tasting Notes (Official): Seashells and sage; pineapple and allspice; smoke that moves in oily waves. This is the perfect whisky for introducing a little drama to proceedings – and a fitting conclusion to our peaty trilogy.
Tasted 14 December 2021. (Posted 10 November 2022.)
