Compass Box Flaming Heart 6th Edition

I tried the 4th Edition of this Flaming Heart in 2013 and the 5th Edition in 2016. Today, the 6th Edition of this blended malt is in my glass. While the ABV remains the same, the composition is slighty different each time. For this sixth release they used barrels, hogsheads, French oak and American oak. The lead players are still Clynelish and Caol Ila. On the nose, the Caol Ila is immediately noticeable, but it cannot hide the waxiness of Clynelish (that’s a good thing, too). It has a lovely sweetness, which makes me think a sherry cask went into the mix. Touches of clay, a whiff of diesel and baked apples. Another bull’s eye, if you ask me. It is fairly powerful, quite peppery and salty and the peat immediately takes the reins. Feisty spiciness and nice development of smoke. To my surprise this is a lot less sweet than the nose promised and also a lot less sweet than the previous two releases if memory serves. Citrus peeks around the corner, as does a leaf of mint. Midpalate, the salt takes control. The finish starts quite intense on ashes and liquorice, but then suddenly disappears leaving the mouth dry. The better work of John Glaser, although I do prefer the 4th release. This is certainly worth 130 EUR.

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