Compass Box The Spice Tree Review

“I Am What I Am”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland

Brand: Compass Box The Spice Tree 

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: NAS (Likely around 10-12 Years)

ABV: 46 %

Colour: Light Amber 

Nose: Full, Sweet, Oaky, Herbal and Spicy. The Nose reminds me of a Bourbon on account of the Virgin Oak. I find Malt, Dried Herbs, Nuts, Raisins, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Honey, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Citrus Peel and Aniseed. The Spice Tree needs a little time to release its Fruit Aromas. After ten minutes or so I recognise Pear, Banana and some Pineapple. And finally I pick up Floral Notes and a hint of Sherry. This is quite a mature Nose for a relatively young Single Malt. It's a pity that the Alcohol is not fully integrated. 

Palate: Medium Hot, Sweet, Oaky and Spicy with Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Clove, Vanilla, Toffee, Fresh Oak, Resin, Dried Herbs, Sugared Almonds and Orange Peel. 

Finish: Medium Long, Spicy and Dry with Lemon Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Fresh Oak, Resin, Menthol, Ripe Bananas, Cocoa Powder, Almonds and Licorice.    

I added Water and Malt and Vanilla are enhanced on the Nose. It gets more Floral as well. The Alcohol has retreated quite nicely. But Palate and Finish do not benefit from the added Water. You literally take out the Spirit of this Malt.

Rating: 85.5  

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5

My Miniature of the Spice Tree.

General Remarks: The miniature I'm tasting today contains the original Spice Tree that was first launched in 2005. Despite positive reactions from consumers it was discontinued in 2006 as the Scotch Whisky Association questioned the use of French Oak inner staves used during maturation. John Glaser, the founder of Compass Box decided to look for some alternative ways to create a similar Aroma & Flavour profile and in 2009 the Spice Tree was reintroduced. The Single Malts now used for the Blend firstly mature for around 8-10 years in a mix of First Fill and Refill American Oak Casks before being transferred to barrels with heavily toasted new French "Vosges" Oak Heads for another 2 Years or so. Today, The Spice Tree is a blend of 3 Highland Single Malts with Clynelish at its heart. The other Malts are Dalmore and Dailuaine. The Spice Tree is Naturally Coloured and Non Chill-Filtered. The "new" version sells at around 60 US Dollars. I will try to get a sample of the new version as well.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good   

Conclusion: This is certainly a well-crafted Blended Malt. Spirit and Cask do well together. I do believe that the ABV could have been slightly lower in this case. The Alcohol does spoil a bit of the Nosing Fun. You can add some Water surely but as you know I usually don't like to do that when tasting a Single Malt as I believe you somehow start messing around with the original creation of the distiller or blender. However, that's only my personal opinion. Please enjoy any whisky the way you like best. Coming back to the Spice Tree, I can really fully recommend this blended Malt to people who like not too sweet Bourbon or Rye Whiskey and those who appreciate a good dose of Oak, Spices, Dried Herbs and Vanilla in their Scottish dram. Because The Spice Tree truly deserves its name! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                 January 10, 2015

Photo Credit: Neat Whiskey 2011

Wemyss Spice King Review

“King For A Day”

Country: Scotland 

Brand: Wemyss Spice King

Bottler: Wemyss Malts, Edinburgh

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: 12 Years

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Amber 

Nose: Young, Sweet and Spicy. And, to my surprise, slightly Smoky. I find Bread Dough, Wet Earth, Straw, Nut Shells, Toffee, light Honey, Dried Fruit, Malt, Citrus Peel, Chili Pepper, Apple Vinegar, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Dried Herbs,  lightly Charred New Oak and some soft Mineral - and Maritime tones. I'm pretty sure there is Talisker in this Blend. The Alcohol is not fully integrated.

Palate: Slightly Thin on account of the weak ABV. Not too much going on here. I find Charred New Oak, Malt, Straw, Grass, Wet Earth, light Smoke, Lemon Peel, Toffee, Nuts, Nutmeg, Pepper and Cinnamon. The Palate would have greatly benefited from a higher ABV.

Finish: Middle-Long, Dry and Spicy with Malt, Nuts, Orange Peel, light Smoke, Charred Oak, Salty Licorice, Cinnamon, Pepper and Nutmeg.

I added some Water and found some slightly Sour Cooked Apples on the Nose. The Spices are mostly gone. Palate and Finish do not improve with Water. 

Rating: 82.5 

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

I Bought this Miniature in the Dallas Dhu Shop. 

General Remarks: The Spice King is part of a new range by Wemyss of Edinburgh, next to Hive and Peat Chimney. Each represents one of the three main Scottish production areas, respectively Highlands, Speyside and Islay. The Spice King is a Blend of 16 Single Malts. The heart is formed by a Highland distillery but some Island Malt is used as well. By the way, Wemyss is the old Gaelic word for Caves. The Whiskies for the Wemyss Blends are chosen by a Panel, chaired by the well-known whisky writer Charles MacLean. The Spice King is usually sold at around 55 US Dollars. A cheaper 8 year version is also available. Wemyss did a very nice job on Packaging and Presentation!

Drinking Experience Neat: Good. 

Conclusion: After having tasted close to 400 different Blends and Single Malts from all over the world I have found that I like drinking a nice Blend on the Rocks but that I truly enjoy tasting a Single Malt. Of course this does not mean that you can't enjoy sipping a good Blend or drinking a good Single Malt all night long. But I hope you'll get the general picture. Blends are produced to please as much people as possible and most of the times this leads to a perfectly drinkable but slightly boring Spirit. A Single Malt, or, even better, a Single Cask possesses its own Character, Strength and Weaknesses. It's almost like comparing an imperfect but colourful human being to a perfect robot. Take the Wemyss Spice King for instance. It's certainly not a bad Blend and it's pleasant enough. And the Talisker Touch gives it a little extra Punch. Still, I have tasted it today and will have forgotten it by tomorrow. Truly a King for a Day.

Jan van den Ende                                                         October 16, 2014