Compass Box No Name
48.9% ABV - Blended, Scotland
Nose: Wet, earthy peat with mineral characteristics, briny, and there are some floral perfume notes that waft above this campfire of a dram.
Taste: Billows of smoke over peat – this is where you can really taste that roaring campfire. Burnt citrus in the background.
Finish: Lighter smoke still with the earthy, mineral flavours. This one goes long.
It’s a smoke bomb for peat heads! No Name is an exciting release from Compass Box – their most peated blend to date. The recipe includes a couple of my favourite distilleries: predominantly ~13-year old(?) Ardbeg with near equal parts Clynelish and Caol Ila. And, not a factor in the score,... this is one of the best bottle designs I’ve seen! I’ll be savouring (and sharing) this over the coming days.
Tasted 18 March 2018.
88/100
Detailed Rating Information...
90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.
