Some whiskeys announce themselves with fanfare; others prefer a quieter entrance. Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 vs Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? belongs firmly to the latter school.
Choosing between Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 and Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 | Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask... | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | ies including Laphroaig | N/A |
| Type | Scotch | Scotch |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 48.9% ABV with no added color and not chill-filter | 50% ABV |
| Price | $155.00 | $125.00 |
| Rating | 10/10 | 3/10 |
Nose
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022: The initial nose on this is peat and caramel apple. Trying to define the style of peat on this puts me somewhere between the smoke of a barbecue and petrichor, that subtly earthy smell of a first rainfall.
Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...: The aroma brings to mind muddied mulch and stinky hiking boots sitting in a corner to dry. The body is full of leather, like a baseball glove, and saline. It is smoky with a hint of butterscotch and almond. Drunken raisins greet the nose with gumption. It reminds me of hot buttered rum. There is lots of nutmeg and French vanilla. Among the soft earthen smoke is marzipan.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022: This starts off incredibly clean with a sweet citrus quality to it. It moves into a rich mid palate with some caramel, cinnamon, and black pepper with just a touch of that smoke starting to build. The finish really lets the peat take front stage while staying clean and only getting the slightest medicinal quality.
Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...: s on both were surprising. To see why I preferred the Kilchoman Madeira Cask over the Kilchoman 100% Islay, you can read below. Kilchoman 100% Islay 11th Edition (image via Kilchoman) Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 100% Islay Vital Stats: 50% ABV. 20 ppm. Islay single malt made with Optic and Publican barley varieties from 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 harvests. Matured in 26 bourbon barrels and 7 Oloroso sherry butts for a minimum of 9 years. The 11th edition is limited to 12,000 bottles. 750ml $125. Appearance: 24k gold Nose: The aroma brings to mind muddied mulch and stinky hiking boots sitting in a corner to dry. The body is full of leather, like a baseball glove, and saline. It is smoky with a hint of butterscotch and almond. Palate: Orange zest and segments with simple syrup greet the tongue
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022: Comments: 9,606 bottles produced. Bottled at 48
Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...: Comments: 50% ABV. 20 ppm
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 offers significantly more bang for your buck at $155.00 compared to Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...'s $125.00.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 takes the crown with a rating of 10/10 compared to Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...'s 3/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 – Full Review
- Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask... – Full Review
Final Reflections
Compass Box Flaming Heart 2022 vs Whisky Reviews: Kilchoman (2022) 100% Islay, Madeira Cask...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
