Flaming Heart 5th Edition CB 15th Anniversary Limited Edition (Compass Box)

Flaming Heart 5th Edition CB 15th Anniversary Limited Edition (Compass Box) is a blended malt Scotch from Compass Box. It vats single malts from several distilleries, with Caol Ila for Islay smoke. The distillery was expanded again in the 21st century to meet blend demand.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. Refill American oak let the spirit speak, adding a quiet honeyed note. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types.

At a full 48.9% it is bold and oily. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.