Compass Box Secrets Of Smoke Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Compass Box Secrets Of Smoke Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a 52% ABV (104 proof), 750mL limited-edition blended malt (malt whisky only, no grain) from Compass Box in London, released in 2024 in 9,792 bottles worldwide, natural colour and not chill-filtered, led by whiskymaker James Saxon. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The idea is the sweetness hiding inside peat: Compass Box finished and matured peated malts in wine and sherry wood to pull fruit and honey out of the smoke. The openly disclosed recipe is 33.9% Peat Monster blended malt finished in second-fill Spanish red wine casks, 33.1% Caol Ila in first-fill Palo Cortado sherry-seasoned butts, 22% Ardmore in first-fill sherry hogsheads, 5.7% Laphroaig in first-fill Marsala barriques, 2.5% Bowmore in refill bourbon barrels, and a small blended-malt parcel in recharred American oak.
Tasting profile (distillery notes): toasted marshmallow, honey, buttery pears, caramel and coastal smoke on the nose; an oily, spicy palate of pear, peach and melon; a long, chocolatey, peaty finish that turns citrusy. A small spritz of soda water unlocks more of the fruit. Browse the Compass Box brand collection, more Scotch whisky, and the full whiskey collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Serving note: pour neat, then try a spritz of soda; the house pairs it with fresh cherries, sharp blue cheese and saucisson.
What is Secrets of Smoke? A limited 2024 Compass Box blended malt (9,792 bottles, 52% ABV) that reveals the sweet side of peated whisky through red wine, Palo Cortado sherry and Marsala casks.
Which distilleries are in the blend? Caol Ila, Ardmore, Laphroaig and Bowmore malts plus The Peat Monster blended malt — percentages are openly disclosed by Compass Box.
Is it chill-filtered? No — natural colour, not chill-filtered (light 5-micron filtration only), bottled at 52% ABV.
What is the ABV and size? 52% ABV (104 proof), 750mL (US bottling).