Review - Peat Monster Arcana

This whisky sees Compass Box, the innovative whisky blenders, continuing their 20th anniversary celebrations with the release of a limited edition version of their popular Peat Monster blended malt. Peat Monster Arcana is a cask strength version of the original Peat Monster recipe that has then seen a further two years maturation in French oak casks. This was then blended further with aged single malts from the Ardbeg, Miltonduff and Talisker distilleries. It is released at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. There are 8,328 bottles and these will be available via specialist whisky retailers globally. Price - £75/ $95 US.

Compass Box was founded in 2000 by John Glaser and have remained at the forefront of whisky innovation ever since. They have an imaginative ethos to buy whisky from a small and select number of distilleries and then craft them into a unique product. All products are produced and released in small batches and given creative names. They have won numerous awards for both their whiskies and creative packaging and label designs, which have long been designed by top agency Stranger & Stranger.

 

"We have been experimenting with French oak since the early days and Peat Monster Arcana is the first to feature smoky whiskies matured in French oak. We are delighted to be able to release this in our 20th anniversary year and fans will discover a new side to this whisky."

John Glaser.

Our tasting notes

The colour is golden yellow and the nose is packed full of malty and smoky aromas. Oat cake biscuits and heavy malted bread mingle with damp moss, wet earth and charcoal ash. Underneath are further aromas of heather honey, milk chocolate, fresh green apple and vanilla. Pinches of cocoa powder, all-spice and cinnamon, plus a hint of candied lemon peel add further depth.

On the palate this whisky is immediately earthy and smoky. A combination of notes bombard the taste buds - think of bonfire ash, coal tar soap, damp moss and fresh charcoal. This initial set of characteristics is underpinned by that malty and cereal-like note from the nose - imagine oat cake biscuits again, plus freshly milled barley and breakfast wheat flakes. Then comes some much needed sweetness in the form of heather honey and a good sized blob of golden syrup. Hints of white chocolate, dried green apple, lemon zest and sultana further aid this. The sweetness stops the whisky becoming too dry and smoky. Late oak and baking spices begin to develop also, giving further interest and complexity. Think of cinnamon, all-spice, white pepper and a pinch of clove. 

Those late spices seem to give the peaty and smoky elements a second boost and they drive the finish on to a decent length. The damp earthiness again combines with the more acrid charcoal ashiness to give a bitter and drying feel. The sweeter characteristics fade quite quickly to bring them forwards even more. Late hints of red chilli and white pepper round things off nicely.

What's the verdict?

Another lovely whisky from Compass Box to celebrate their 20th anniversary. We have long been fans of the original Peat Monster and always watch with interest whenever they bring out limited editions. The Arcana has three distinct phases when you taste it - smoke first, then sweetness and finally a big hit of spice - and is very enjoyable. A touch higher on the ABV would turn this from 'good and enjoyable' to 'superb and excellent', but it is good how it is. Happy birthday Compass Box.