Compass Box Eleuthera

Compass Box Eleuthera, NAS, 46 %

The Compass Box Eleuthera is something of a classic, already. It is a vatted malt that was released by Compass Box between 2002 and 2005. I recently opened a new bottle, and found I had not reviewed it before, so here we go.

This is the description given by Compass Box in their Archive of Past Whiskies:

Eleuthera, 2002-2005: Originally available in all our markets, “Eleuthera” was our very first vatted malt. Typically it combined 15 year-old malt whisky from the village of Brora, aged in re-charred hogsheads, with 12 year-old malt from the village of Port Askaig. Jim Murray said of our first release: “Quite simply, one of the most complex and truly magnificent vatted malts of all time. A collector’s piece.” Sadly, when the 15 year-old malt we needed was no longer available aged in re-charred casks, we decided to retire “Eleuthera” rather than overhaul the recipe.

You can probably find it online still at around GBP 75.

Nose: Rich, oily, fruity, peaty and maritime. A very pleasant first sniff, I would say. Wood smoke with a maritime touch - in other words a bit salty. Light fruits, some caramel and vanilla.

Taste: Very smooth and somewhat creamy mouthfeel. Vanilla, ginger, white pepper, fresh herbs, salt and a soft oakiness. The peat is less noticeable here than on the nose.

Finish: Medium long finish. The peat is fighting back; dryish with pepper notes and more akin to ashes than smoke. Less sweet now - added notes of dark chocolate.

Comments: I image this would have been a lovely introduction to the wondrous world of peated whisky. Too bad this is no longer readily available.

Score (84/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas