Compass Box The Spice Tree

Part 2 of my Compass Box exploration; The Spice Tree. Now, unlike the Spaniard, I did cheat and look up the fact sheet on this before I poured it. Sorry, just couldn't resist. I'll post the fact sheet below. Much of this is a "Highland Malt Blend" matured in French oak casks with varying degrees of toasting. It is also 14% Clynelish matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, and 4% Dailuaine matured in a refill hogshead. Bottled at 46% and neat in a Glencairn.

Nose: Vanilla bean latte with extra milk followed by a big whiff of gingerbread cake. Vanilla, coffee, gingerbread, chocolate. That's the plot of the nose. The b-roll footage includes some banana bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cooked dates. Very interesting nose. Vanilla, coffee and rich brown cakes. When they said "spices" my mind went directly to "hot spicy," but I think they meant baking spices.

Palate: Much more banana bread on the palate smothered in a vanilla cream sauce. Some darker fruits here as well. Dates, plums, dark candied cherries, vanilla and latte coffee again.

Finish: A rich, chocolatey finish that vanishes too quickly.

Blithering: Absolutely a step up from the Spaniard. This kept my keen interest the whole dram. The nose on this is superb, and the rest of it is above average at worst. Once I figured out they meant baking spices instead of what I generally consider "spices," it for sure delivered on it's namesake.

Fact Sheet download: compassboxwhisky.com/whiskies/index.php/…

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