Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza

A wonderfully smooth lightly peaty fragrant blend.

Nice green and orchard fruit highland character with some sherry influence. Nose: Raisins, Honey, Green Apples, Pears, Almonds, Walnuts, Prunes, Sour Cherries, Peaches, Treacle Palate: Figs, Oranges, Honey, Peaches, Sultanas, Dates, Raisins, Almond Joy, Prunes Finish: Honey, Coconuts, Bananas, Figs, Toffee, Bananas, Almonds

Spicy, brown sugar, Sherry notes but not overpowering

N: Lemon citrus, spice and vanilla P: Sweet vanilla with rich milk chocolate ramps into a pleasant baking spice F: Light oak and citrus zest

The biggest problem is the name. This is not Spice Tree. This is not related to Spice Tree. Spice Tree is a great affordable blend that is very spicy. This blend is obviously older and more luxurious than Spice Tree, but it’s not necessarily better. It’s like if Spice Tree was a $3 taco at the standing-room-only, hole-in-the-wall taco spot that always has a line up because it’s that good; Spice Tree Extravaganza might be that “taco” at the fancy restaurant with a tasting menu that brings out their “re-imagined” deconstructed taco that has caviar and a gold leaf with some green sauce on the side. And you’re just like, “That ain’t no fucking taco.” They should have called this Fruit Tree. I might have given this a star if it just changed the name. It’s not a bad whisky. It wants to go down the fruity direction, but it’s half-hearted. About 50% of this blend is Glen Ord and Benrinnes matured in first fill sherry casks. You get feathery soft notes of red fruits, figs, and dates. A honeycomb and wax Clynelish style stands out more than anything, and there is some Clynelish in here. In terms of spices, there’s some vanilla, nutmeg, and clove; but it’s hardly a spice extravaganza. This blend tastes like it should be expensive, but it really does not stand out. The name and the packaging are definitely misleading. Score: 0 (forgettable) How much does a bottle cost: $105-140 at retail. It’s getting hard to find and is starting to show up at higher secondary pricing. How much do I think a bottle is worth: $90