The nose, remember this is called Peat Monster, has.... honey. No it doesnt. It has peat, and the phenolic, maritime peat of an Islay rather than the piney, fragrant peat of the Highlands. With tar and phenol and some iodine antiseptic notes, and perhaps a hint of sweet vanilla, this nose says "brace yourself". The taste has the hallmark smoothness of Compass Box, sweet, peat smoke and maybe some cocoa and vanilla. Finish is robust and peaty, however it still avoids the pungency of a Laphroaig, it is balanced and still retains the elegant house style. Clever blending at work. John Glaser and Compass Box may have fallen foul of regulations according to the Scotch Whisky Association in the past, but they are fine under the Trades Description Act. This is a Peat Monster through and through and if I wore a hat it would be off right now.
