Compass Box The Spice Tree

What French Oak has over American Oak is a higher degree of spiciness. Those who like the spice, like I do, love to taste that spicy French Oak, wherever it appears, whether in whisky, wine, or tequila. Compass Box The Spice Tree uses, subsequent to its first, banned version, new, i.e. 'virgin', French Oak barrel heads to give it a big punch of oak wood spiciness. The base malts of this vatted/pure/blended malt whisky are all Highland Malts, with Compass Box head Mr. Glaser's favourite, Clynelish, taking the lead. The Highland malt whiskies in Compass Box The Spice Tree and Compass Box Oak Cross are the same. Only the wood used is different. The reviewed bottle has been open for 2 1/2 years, is 80% full, and has been preserved with inert gas for 15 months

Nose: wood spice, a hint of fruit, citrus, apple, and pear, and some additional woody notes

Taste: the spice is much stronger on the palate than in the nose: there is black pepper, and some lesser influence of baking spices of cloves and cinnamon/cassia. Malt flavours include significant citrus, as in the nose, and much more grassiness than the nose shows. The spiciness acts as a counterpoint to the sweetness which develops from mid-palate into the finish. Piquante and appealing

Finish: the spice just gets stronger into the long finish, giving a strong flavour experience

Balance: this is a nicely put-together whisky. The sweet-dry balance is very good. There is plenty of flavour and plenty of contrast within the flavours presented

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