Discover the Compass Box Flaming Heart Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 7th Edition—a masterfully crafted, limited-edition release that harmonizes the boldness of heavily-peated single malts from Laphroaig, Caol Ila, and Talisker with a Highland malt blend matured over five years in virgin toasted French oak casks for a deep, spicy richness. Bottled at a robust 48.9% ABV, this non-chill filtered, naturally colored whisky unveils a high-energy nose of smouldering peat embers, candied ginger, and cigar wrapper, leading to an oily, smoky, and savory palate layered with notes of salted toffee, pineapple, honey, baking spices, and lingering herbal smoke. Inspired by the spirit of rock music and limited to just 9,606 bottles worldwide, Flaming Heart 2022 offers connoisseurs an evolving “sound”—think thrash metal with a backing orchestra—making it a must-have for collectors and lovers of innovative, complex Scotch whiskies.
Process & Profile
Flaming Heart 7th Edition is the creative brainchild of Compass Box and their lead whiskymaker, James Saxon. The blend masterfully combines heavily peated single malts from renowned Scottish distilleries—primarily Laphroaig, Caol Ila, and Talisker—with a Highland malt blend that’s spent more than five years in deeply toasted virgin French oak casks. Each component is non-chill filtered and bottled at a robust 48.9% ABV, preserving the whisky's full complexity and natural color. This blend delivers “the harmonies between heavy peat and toasted French oak—think thrash metal with a backing orchestra,” as described by the makers themselves. Only 9,606 bottles were released, making it a true collector’s item.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Aromas of smoldering peat embers, clove, treacle, seaweed, barbecue smoke, cigar wrapper, and candied ginger rise powerfully from the glass.
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Palate: Oily and dense, revealing layers of salted toffee, pineapple, honey, and cinnamon. These flavors are underscored by an unmistakable smoky richness, herbal smoke, lingering salinity, and a round, booming spicy core from the French oak.
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Finish: Long and warming, with persistent notes of herbal smoke, brine, and a savory, spicy afterglow.
What Makes It Special
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Innovative Blending: Flaming Heart #7 is a standout due to its careful interplay of peated malt whiskies—most notably from Laphroaig, Caol Ila, and Talisker—with malts matured in custom, heavily toasted French oak. This achieves a balance reminiscent of both rock’s raw energy and orchestral complexity.
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Limited Release: With only 9,606 bottles, each release is unique and highly collectible.
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Artistry and Evolution: Each Flaming Heart edition “samples” remnants of previous Compass Box releases, creating an “infinity blend” that evolves with every bottling—much like a band constantly refining its sound.
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Natural Presentation: The whisky is bottled without chill-filtration and with natural color, ensuring an unadulterated drinking experience that showcases the full spectrum of its flavors.
How to Enjoy
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Neat: For the purest expression, enjoy Flaming Heart neat in a tulip-shaped glass to fully appreciate its complexity and aromatic power.
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With Water: Adding a few drops of water can open up the flavors, revealing new layers of spice and fruit without diminishing the signature peat and oak character.
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On the Rocks: For those who prefer milder intensity, serving over ice will cool and slightly mellow the whisky, highlighting its sweeter, spicier notes.
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In Cocktails: Although this whisky shines on its own, adventurous drinkers may use it in smoky-based whisky cocktails for a dramatic twist.
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Pair with Music: Embrace the whisky’s rock n’ roll inspiration by pairing your dram with a curated playlist—just as the makers intended.
Why Choose Flaming Heart 7th Edition?
Compass Box Flaming Heart 7th Edition is more than just a whisky—it's an experience. Perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate innovation, craftsmanship, and bold, peated expressions, this release is a tribute to both tradition and the spirit of reinvention. Whether you’re sharing with friends or savoring solo, Flaming Heart is a dram that demands to be enjoyed with passion and a touch of rebellion. Bring the heat—raise your glass to flavor, fire, and the art of the blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Compass Box Flaming Heart 7th Edition?
Compass Box Flaming Heart 7th Edition is a limited release blended malt Scotch whisky, first bottled in August 2022. Only 9,606 bottles were produced. It combines heavily-peated malt whiskies with malts extra-matured in virgin toasted French oak casks, resulting in a vibrant, smoky, and richly layered flavor profile.
What distinguishes the 7th Edition from previous Flaming Heart releases?
Each Flaming Heart release evolves the style with a unique recipe. The 7th Edition, inspired by music and creativity, features a deeper fruitiness and layers of spice, thanks to its blend of smokey Islay whiskies and Highland malts matured over five years in custom-toasted French oak casks.
What distilleries contribute to the blend?
This edition features malts from Laphroaig, Caol Ila, and Talisker distilleries, with the Highland Malt Blend providing additional body and character.
What are the key tasting notes for Flaming Heart 7th Edition?
Expect a high-energy nose of smouldering peat embers, cigar wrapper, gingerbread, and lemon. The palate is oily and smoky, with notes of bacon, maple, and rich baking spices. The savory, smoky finish lingers with peppery spice.
What is the alcohol content and how is it bottled?
Flaming Heart 7th Edition is bottled at 48.9% ABV. It is non-chill filtered and retains its natural color, ensuring the whisky’s full flavor and texture are preserved.
Is Flaming Heart 7th Edition suitable for collectors?
Yes, this is a sought-after limited edition with only 9,606 bottles produced. Its unique blending approach and evolving style from previous editions make it an attractive choice for collectors and enthusiasts.
How should I enjoy Compass Box Flaming Heart 7th Edition?
This whisky is crafted for sharing with friends and pairing with great music. Its complexity makes it enjoyable neat, yet it can also stand up well to a splash of water to open up its aromatic and smoky notes.
What does ‘blended malt’ mean for this whisky?
Blended malt scotch whisky is made by blending only single malts from different distilleries, without any grain whisky. Flaming Heart 7th Edition showcases the art of combining malts for a harmonious, multi-dimensional experience.
Is Compass Box Flaming Heart chill-filtered or colored?
No, the 7th Edition is not chill-filtered and no artificial color has been added. This preserves the whisky’s natural flavors and mouthfeel.