Ultramarine Blended Scotch Whisky CB The Extinct Blends Quartet (Compass Box)

Ultramarine Blended Scotch Whisky CB The Extinct Blends Quartet (Compass Box) is a blended Scotch from Compass Box. It folds malt and grain together, Caol Ila giving the Islay smoke. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland.

Islay malts bring the smoke, the lighter Caol Ila style keeping it clean rather than heavy. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath.

At a hearty 51% it carries real weight. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. The oily body carries the smoke long and clean. The finish is clean, smoky and maritime. A characterful smoky blended Scotch.