Compass Box No Name 2 is the sequel to the 2017 No Name, which looked to highlight the peat, and did so in a very ‘in your face’ way. The first No Name was composed of about 75% Ardbeg, 11% Caol Ila, 13% Clynelish and a wee bit of Compass Box’s Highland malt blend finished in Compass Box’s custom French oak casks. While I didn’t publish a review on the No Name, I clearly remember not being overly keen on it.
Photo Credit: port-magazine.com
This edition is different, with far more complexity and made with much more thoughtfulness. This edition is replaced the harsh Ardbeg from the previous edition with a heart of Caol Ila from refill sherry butts (75.5%). This choice took the expression from an ‘in your face’ peat to a complex blend with the subtleties of the other components of the blend. Those components are 10.5% Talisker in a recharred bourbon cask and the obligatory Clynelish (13.5%) and a drop of the custom French oak casks Highland malt blend (from Spice Tree) at one half of one percent.
This edition is a real pleasure to drink, and is, indeed worthy of its (no) name….
Compass Box No Name, No. 2 (48.9% ABV, NCF, NC)
Appearance: Light gold, thin legs coming off a sturdy necklace, with quite a bit of residue on the glass.
Nose: Very rounded and balanced nose. Peat is the first note on the nose, but there’s a hint of minerals, pine and honey, together with a little bit of ash. Gentle wood spices and a little hit of red fruit with some fresh apple eaten while tending the grill.
Palate: Ashy peat with citrus peel bitterness, granny smith apple, honey, light cinnamon and confectionery notes. The mouth is full bodied with a hint of waxiness that blends very nicely with the paet.
Linger: Honey and ash on the tongue, alongside peppery peat in the gullet. Green pear and a dabbing or raspberry with a bit of thyme.
Conclusion
This is a masterpiece of blending. It’s nothing like the first No Name, which was somewhat harsh and not as balanced.
Well done!
Official sample provided by Compass Box Whisky.