Compass Box “The Spice Tree”
Quick Stats:
Spirit: The Spice Tree Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Distiller: Compass Box
Aged: NAS
Price: Around $64.99
Proof: 92
About The Distillery:
In 2000, John Glaser believed there were too many similar scotches. Glaser wanted to do things differently to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people.
He set up a different kind of Scotch whisky company. Glaser based it on the long-lost model of the Scotch whisky blending house. He took a forward-looking approach and an unrelenting desire to create quality. He launched the business from his kitchen. Today, Compass Box has an office and Blending Room in London, its own stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland, and more than a dozen employees.
Compass box is looking to create unique scotches for whiskey enthusiasts around the world. They do this by blending
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About The Spice Tree:
Unfortunately, due to its avant garde method of oak-aging, we were compelled by the powers that be to discontinue production.
Undeterred, we worked with our cooper friends in both France and Scotland to develop a new, hybrid oak cask that would allow us to achieve similar results, but in a way that would be acceptable to even the most conservative of observers.
Et voila, THE SPICE TREE was resurrected – matured using a custom-made cask with French oak for the heads and American oak for the bodies.
THE SPICE TREE is a rich, intense malt whisky redolent of baking spices and layered with toasty oak accents that complement the underlying distillery character.
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Nose
(4.5)
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Palate
(4)
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Finish
(3.5)
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Heat vs. Proof
(4)
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Value
(4)
Notes & Review
Nose: The nose is full of spice, smoke, baking spices, smoked clove, and charred toffee.
Palate: The body is bold without being overpowering. There’s an absence of peat that makes it more accessible to newer scotch drinkers. There are beautiful malt and ginger spice notes that carry through the body and give it a “pep.” It’s got baking spice, light smoke, honey, clove, and muddled dark fruit notes.
Finish: There’s a nice balance of fruity, woody, smoky, and spice that plays through for a quick burn finish.
Review: This pour is incredibly approachable for a scotch. It’s got strong flavor without a ton of heat, striking a nice balance. There is an absence of peat, which is good for those who don’t enjoy the sharp flavor it can bring to a dram. However, it has enough spice and smoke to keep even veteran scotch drinkers happy. The nose is full and gives a good taste of things to come for how full the body is. However, they have managed to maintain a crucial balance between heat, flavor, and approachability that I’ve found to be increasingly rare with the rate at which companies have to pump out their bottles. Overall, I really enjoyed the pour and will be looking to keep a few of these in reserves. Both for my friends who enjoy scotch and those who are adamant that they despise it (just so I can prove them wrong).
User Review
( vote)
Greg Sinadinos started his spirits journey writing a whiskey periodical for Fine Tobacco NYC Magazine. He began answering review requests under a social media page he named “Whiskey Culture,” which quickly merged with Greg’s passion for connecting with others and his interest in history.
Today, Greg travels the country not just looking for great whiskey, but also exploring the history and individuals that the whiskey community is founded upon. He has authored “Whiskey History From Around The World” and is the host of “The Rickhouse” web series.
