First Impressions
Compass Box Peat Monster — from the company founded in 2000 by John Glaser, an American who left Johnnie Walker's marketing department to prove that blends could rival single malts. He originally wanted to be a California winemaker, but whisky had other plans. He started from his West London kitchen.
The Monster's Origin
Peat Monster debuted in 2003 as a special release for Park Avenue Liquor in New York — the shop wanted something even peatier than Glaser's initial blend, creating the 'monster' name. Predominantly Caol Ila and Laphroaig in refill hogsheads, with approximately 1% Highland malt aged in custom heavy-toast French oak for complexity. 46%, natural colour, non-chill filtered.
Tasting
Juicy peach and ashy smoke on the nose — refined, never aggressive. The palate is creamy with tropical fruit over a peat backbone that never dominates. The finish is long with sweet smoke balanced by savoury smoked meat. Reviewers call it 'a beast in tailcoats.'
The Verdict
Compass Box Peat Monster earns an 8 — proof that blending is an art form, not a compromise. John Glaser's mission to elevate blended malt has produced something genuinely original: elegant peat that doesn't bulldoze your palate. At £55, this is artisan whisky-making at its most creative.
