Compass Box The Spice Tree

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glen Moray, Balmenach, Tomatin - Speyside and Highlands

1st Fill Bourbon and Custom French Oak Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Compass Box 

Core Range 

Blended Malt 

Launched in 2005

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

The story of The Spice Tree begins in 2005 when John Glaser launched this product as a limited edition of 4150 bottles. The principle is to use intensely toasted French oak casks in order to obtain a strongly spiced Whisky. The distilleries involved were Dailuaine, Teaninich, Clynelish and Longmorn, and the age was around 10 years. A second similar batch followed in 2006, but the Scotch Whisky Association called for production to cease, as the manufacturing process was said to be unsuitable for a Scotch Whisky. John Glaser then changed the recipe for the first time, and launched a second The Spice Tree in 2009, this time as part of The Signature Range, which is the classic Compass Box portfolio. At this time, the required distilleries were the same, except that Longmorn was no longer part of the mix, and the age was no longer mentioned. Success is there and The Spice Tree becomes a pillar of the brand. Finally, in 2021, the recipe is changed again, the juice comes now from Glen Moray, Balmenach and Tomatin, which makes it fruitier.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, honey nestles against candied vanilla and lemon pulp, it's light, airy, an ounce of iodine, it's sweet, marshmallow, biscuit, but above all it's very balanced, nothing stands out, it's smooth. On the palate, still a lot of honey, white plums, grapes, very ripe apples, it's nice, but where are the spices? Oh yes, it's true, there are a few, paprika and nutmeg, but it's still quite soft. Fairly good finish, where the lemon becomes prominent, paraffin, milk chocolate.

 

In Short, 

t's a good Blended Malt, at a fair price if you buy it from the right stores. Personally, I don't find it that spicy, probably because I was expecting an explosion of spices, and it was very subtle on the contrary. A purchase would be a good idea, it is a quality entry dram.

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Esther Rose - Safe To Run