Phenomenology NAS CB (Compass Box)

Phenomenology NAS CB (Compass Box) is a blended malt Scotch from Compass Box. It brings together malts from more than one distillery, Caol Ila lending the peat. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding only a light vanilla. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. Port Askaig is a tiny settlement on the rugged east coast of Islay. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

At 46% it is soft, oily and bright. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish runs oily, smoky and clean. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.