Compass Box Announces The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story
Compass Box has announced The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story, a limited edition Blended Malt Scotch Whisky that marks The Peat Monster’s 20th birthday and celebrates America’s influence on Scotch whisky.
In 2003, Compass Box founder John Glaser partnered with Jonathan Goldstein of Park Avenue Liquors to create a peaty blended malt, Monster, exclusively for the New York retailer in response to their customers’ love of smoky flavors. Following its success, The Peat Monster was then released to the greater U.S. market in 2004, and has gone on to become one of Compass Box’s most popular expressions.
The recipe for Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story follows:
- Williamson (Laphroaig) single malt matured in refill American oak hogsheads (35%)
- Caol Ila single malt aged in refill American oak hogsheads (34.2%)
- Caol Ila single malt aged in American oak bourbon barrels (17.9%)
- Caol Ila single malt aged in refill puncheons (11.8%)
- Highland Malt Blend aged in custom French oak barrels with a heavy toast (1.1%)
The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story recognizes American coopers through a partial finishing of the blend, putting around half of the whisky in special barrels constructed by the Independent Stave Company in Missouri for three to four months. The casks were created from American white oak that had been air-dried for two years, toasted, given a light (#2) char, then sent to Scotland and filled with grain spirit for one year to season the casks.
Bottled non chill-filtered and of natural color at 56.7% ABV, Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story is described as having aromas of “sooty barbecue smoke, green apple, and powerfully aromatic citrus oils, all underpinned by warming cinnamon.” The palate exhibits notes of “tarry, smoked almond, with the seasoned virgin oak delivering added richness and vanilla notes, plus seaweed, cayenne pepper, and saltiness.”
The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story label was designed by acclaimed American artist Mark Burckhardt and features Dali-esque depictions of the monster against skyscrapers, subway steam grates belching smoke, and a hint of Central Park. The U.S. exclusive label of the bottling includes additional iconic New York City elements – a yellow cab and a copy of one of the city’s renowned newspapers.
Limited to 9,126 bottles worldwide, Compass Box The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story is available now and carries a suggested retail price of $125 for a 700 mL bottle.
Photo credit: Compass Box.
Source: Compass Box.