Compass Box Spice Tree

620 * 70% * 90% = $390

Nose: Very rich and featuring malt, apples, oak and gingery spice. There's a waxy character that adds depth and texture. Palate: Full and assured arrival with fruity and mixed spice notes. The arrival blooms seamlessly into the development as more fruit notes (particularly orange) emerge to balance a cavalcade of warm, exotic spice - clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. However the palate is no explosion or cheap thrill. Everything is poised and perfectly balanced. Finish: Medium. Very satisfying - fruit and spice nuances roll on and on into the aftertaste. This is arguably the best of the standard core-range Compass Box whiskies. One of the most complex and sophisticated blends I've tasted in its price range - it wipes the floor with just about every other blended whisky and I'd even have a bottle of this in preference to many single malts at the same price. Terrific value, and an education in a glass. I've been tasting several blends over the last fortnight with some mates, and the one thing we all noticed was how refreshing and "clean" all the Compass Box whiskies are. In comparison, most blends strive for a house style that is heavy and rich, and they achieve that goal with varying success. Compass Box is one of the few that prefer a clean and uncluttered style using a few premium components combined with precision. When you also factor in the very reasonable asking price this whisky represents remarkable value. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)

From Compass Box sample box containing five different 50mL vials from their “core range.” I was able to get this on sale for $30. Spice Tree is the best out of the five; Asyla, Oak Cross, Peat Monster, and Hedonism are the others. It is also the one that is the boldest and has an unabashed history of being once deemed illegal per the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). I have never tasted the illegal version of Spice Tree, but word of mouth is that the newer versions approximate the illegal ones, which are now worth a million dollars. And word of mouth is fuck the SWA, because Compass Box caters to those who are always right: me, the consumer. NOSE: After sampling 10mL in a Glencairn, I poured the remaining 40mL into my ridiculous fishbowl sized cognac sniffer because the smell is that potent! This year in my whisky education, I am learning that peat is not the only way to grow chest hair. Whisky in French oak becomes incredibly spicy, and to have this whisky be 80% matured in new French oak is insane. Let this one sit for 10 minutes, and smell it. Spice is crazier than peat is the conclusion. Almost overwhelming clove, allspice, white pepper. In the background, eucalyptus, lemon, and maybe a little culantro. PALATE: Doughy, oily, grassy, and utterly unique. Tree barkiness: maple syrup with maple wood, cedar, oak, redwood. Hints of raisins and vanilla. The spiciness definitely dominates. Missing some smokiness, otherwise you would have Talisker… FINISH: Youthy plastic notes detract from the experience, but you get a fairly long afterburn of spice. Breathtaking development of ginger and lemon. Some allspice and clove continues. It’s like a spicy alcoholic green tea! WITH WATER: Water amplifies spice. Do add a few drops. This lets you know the burn is not from the ethanol. The nose and the finish are improved, and the name “Spice Tree” does not do this dram justice. I would go with “Spicefuck.” VERDICT: Out of the 5 in this Compass Box sample pack, this is the only one that encourages me to purchase a full bottle. I am buying the full version of this ($75), and I am also buying a bottle of the Spice Tree Extravaganza ($140) that blends in some older whiskies. The spicy power of French oak is on full display with Spice Tree, and I am in awe. I want more. MARK: 90/100.

Saw this for $30 at my local Costco and decided to give it a try. This is one nice whisky - simply delicious. The Spice Tree will always be in my collection.