Food & Drink

Review: Compass Box No Name, No. 3

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Compass Box’s No Name — which we’ve encountered solely at tasting occasions like WhiskyFest — was envisioned as a one-off in 2017, constructed on a base of Ardbeg however showcasing the lighter facet of peat. The unique spawned a sequel, and now this third version has arrived — the ultimate in a sequence that was by no means presupposed to occur within the first place.

“No Title was not meant to turn out to be a sequence, however now we have completely loved showcasing completely different heavily-peated malt whiskies inside a constant recipe construction,” says John Glaser, Compass Field founder and whiskymaker. “The interaction of smokiness between all three blends is totally completely different, exhibiting that peat is much from one-dimensional. No Title, No. 3 showcases a wealthy depth that makes it vibrant and expansive, with a wild but swish peatiness. No Title, No. 3 completes a compelling trilogy, and we’re excited for followers of this model to strive it.”

No Title, No. 3 (with a comma) — we missed No. 2 — begins with a base of Laphroaig, aged in recharred hogsheads, with the addition of malt from Bowmore plus a number of the Compass Field Highland Malt Mix to spherical it out.

The result’s curious and straightforward to love, although I’m not as enchanted with the completed product as many whisky professionals appear to be. Like the unique No Title, it at first appears unimaginable that the bottom spirit right here comes from one of many titans of Islay. The nostril is flippantly ashy but additionally fairly fruity, a gently briny maritime be aware paired with notes of baked apples, gooseberry, toasted oak, and a few torched rubber. The palate once more feels impossibly candy contemplating the sourdce — extra applesauce than recent apple, though right here dragged a bit via the underbrush, giving it a brambly, woodsy character that develops in time. The end is unquestionably smoky, with a contact of tire fireplace or moist asphalt within the combine, however it’s much less overtly peaty and drawn extra from a spot that evokes a quite industrial core.

I really like the thought, however the execution simply isn’t as on level as within the authentic No Title.

97.8 proof. 10,794 bottles produced.

B+ / $130 / compassboxwhisky.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]

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