While today’s “Sunday in Advent” dram is not a declared X-mas whisky in itself, its spicy flavor profile and precious packaging still make it a perfect pick for the festive season. Composed only of Highland whiskies and bottled at 46 per cent without food coloring or chill-filtration, The Spice Tree by Compass Box is a full-flavored Scotch that any fan of deep and aromatic drinks will love. According to the info text on the back of the box, the whiskies married in this superb bottle are “primarily from the village of Brora”. So I guess that Clynelish takes the lead in this. But considering Compass Box’ craziness when it comes to the compisition of their malts (and the term “crazy” has a through-and-through positive connotation here), I would not be surprised if they added a tad of spirit from the defunct and highly sought-after Brora distillery as well. As a complement to the normal bottling of The Spice Tree which I tremendously enjoyed today, Compass Box has recently also released a Spice Tree Extravaganza – Limited Edition, which is made from even rarer and older whiskies than the regular version. I have not tried this one yet, but given the exceptional quality of the standard Spice Tree, I am sure it is nothing short of spectacular as well.

by Tobi

Eye: Hazel brown with a golden shade.
Nose: Fluffy lemon cake and candied orange peel lay a delicate foundation on which elegant spices, such as vanilla and clove, take their bows. If you breath in deeper, you will also find tangier notes of wood and muskat. Maybe even a tiny bit of salt.
Palate: Well-rounded and opulent, this outstanding blend is as luxurious in the mouth as it is in the nose. It almost feels as if every branch of The Spice Tree is hung with another baked fruit or rich spice.
Finish: A whisky this good deserves an exceptional finish. Before The Spice Tree bids farewell, it flexes its muscles once more and leaves you with a pleasant and punchy mingling of select seasonings.

Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Scotland
Age: No Age Statement
Alc. volume: 46%
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
Price range: ~50.00 Euro
More info: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/