Compass Box, Balvenie

[emelbe]

Compass Box “The Peat Monster” Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

I decided to go for a peaty one this time because I realized I’ve been staying largely in my bourbon safety zone lately.

And because my palate was already a little worn for the evening so I was less afraid of shorting it out.

And, I’ll be honest, this one in particular because friend of mine—sort of half-to-three-quarters joking—warned me away from one of his favorite scotches because he assumed it too peaty for my taste. Which I appreciated. I thought it wise to repay that consideration by not taking my first foray into a mouth full of peat bog via his preferred scotch. I even went for a blend.

You know what?

I… I think I liked it. It was a lot sweeter than I expected. For my tea-drinkers: less smoked, more steeped. It wasn’t just “not repulsive” I actually found myself enjoying it. The bartender tells me Compass Box does lots of “interesting” things (how badly do I want to try their ‘spice tree’ whiskey? so badly) so maybe I shouldn’t gauge whether or not I like peaty whiskies off this but perhaps it’s still a good running start? Maybe?

Balvenie Single Barrel Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 15-year and
Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 12-year

I am absolutely a Balvenie Girl. The portwood-finished, 21 was the first scotch I ever really enjoyed. I also loved the 14-year-old Caribbean cask.

Of the four Balvenie products I’ve tried, I liked the Single Barrel the least but still liked it more than most other scotches. It is very Balvenie. It tastes like the other ones with their finishes stripped off.

The second barrel in the Doublewood is a sherry cask. It is the most subtle of the three finished in something else’s old containers and really, really enjoyable.

I would take any Balvenie, any day.