The latest release of Compass Box Flaming Heart was presented alongside The Story of the Spaniard and started to show up in stores recently. I loved the 5th edition which was released for Compass Box’s 15th anniversary, so we have high hopes for this 2018 edition.
The recipe behind this blended malt is a Highland malt blend (mainly Clynelish) from heavily toasted oak barrels combined with peated Caol Ila, as well as some Deanston and others. It includes whisky from 7 to 30 years of age. For the 2018 edition they have reintroduced a subtle sherry cask influence that they only used once before in 2012.
Compass Box Flaming Heart (48,9%, Compass Box 2018, 6th edition, 15.050 btl.)
Compass Box Flaming Heart (48,9%, Compass Box 2018, 6th edition, 15.050 btl.)Nose: nice vanilla-laden Caol Ila up front. Slightly buttery, slightly farmy, with elegant spices and some toasted wood indeed. Honeyed notes. Kiwi, carambola, white grapes and sweet lemons, some pebble stones and kelp. Soft touches of gouache and candle wax.
Mouth: waxy with a nice coastal salinity. Stewed apples and almonds, hint of candied ginger and white pepper. Just subtle sherry. A light zesty bitterness (grapefruit aplenty), which grows stronger, and always this gentle smoky, ashy side.
Finish: quite long, slightly medicinal now, with a hint of cocoa, wax and candied fruits.
A lovely combination of waxiness and peatiness, gentle and balanced, highlighting the character of the oldest components. A must really: so good, and actually quite affordable. Check TWE or Master of Malt for instance.
Score: 90/100