K&L Best of 2010 Awards: Whisk(e)y of the Year

David D and David OG unanimously pick: Compass Box Flaming Heart Vatted Malt - If you need a precursor as to why we selected this whisky, then check out yesterday's post about Compass Box and John Glaser.  The Flaming Heart is such a well balanced whisky that it makes other malts seem either tame or overbearing in comparison.  Having just recently become more familiar with the late Brora whiskies, I get the feeling that the Flaming Heart is an homage to that particular style - chewy, oily Highland fruits with just a bit of Islay smoke.  Having realized how much I enjoy Brora, and knowing how much I love Clynelish, the Flaming Heart really hits my palate in exactly the right way.  Interesting and never exactly the same twice, it won over both of us quite easily.

-David Driscoll