Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza

I wasn't a fan of the original Spice Tree, but that didn't seem like a good enough reason not to try the Extravaganza. A nose of gentle aromas that have to fight a little against the heat. There's pretty fruit, honey, custard, and some ground coffee. The palate is also a melange of delicate tastes but primarily vanilla malt and honeyed fruits. The finish is a tad hot, a little nutty, with subtle but persistent chimney smoke. This grew on me but I wanted some clarity. Perhaps if the alcohol wasn't so prevalent the softer notes would shine more.

32.6% Glen Ord (First Fill Sherry Butt), 17.2% Benrinnes (First Fill Sherry Butt), 2.6% Allt-A-Bhainne (Refill American Standard Barrel), 27.7% "Highland Malt Blend" (Light/Medium Toast Hybrid Cask), 4.3% "Highland Malt Blend" (Refill Hybrid Cask), and 15.6% "Highland Malt Blend" (Heavy Toast Hybrid Cask). The Highland Malt Blend mentioned is 60% Clynelish, 20% Dailuaine, and 20% Teaninich.

Butterscotch, vanilla and "baking spices" are the star of the show here. A whisky for bourbon fans, it's a delicious after dinner dram. Definitely on the sweeter side, but not cloyingly so. It has a fantastic "chew" and long finish typical of Compass Box's higher end offerings. The cost gives me pause though. Is this worth double the price of Spice Tree? Or some of the nice bourbons it resembles? Hard to say.