Review #470 - Compass Box Spice Tree
Compass Box Spice Tree - for a long time, a staple of the Compass Box core range, until that range was revamped in the second half of 2024. This bottling focused on the ex-bourbon and wood spice profile - it's unpeated, and while they don't give an age statement on the bottle, the whisky involved is generally 11 to 12 years old.
On their website and corresponding sales sheet, Compass Box does actually give us a nice breakout of the distilleries involved in this blended malt. Balmenach and Glen Moray make up large portions of the blend, and the rest is comprised of their proprietary 'Highland Blend.' The recipe for that Highland Blend changed in 2021; previously, it contained Clynelish, Teaninich and Dailuaine; in more modern batches (bottled after March 2021, like ours), that makeup changed to roughly 60% Glen Moray, 25% Tomatin, and 15% Balmenach.
Some of the blend is aged in ex-bourbon casks, generally of the first fill variety, but a good portion is aged in new French oak casks - that's where we get our Spice Tree name, as European oak varieties generally carry more tannins and color than American white oak. Bottling strength is set at 46% ABV; there's no chill filtration or added color, so presentation is looking good.
Compass Box Spice Tree
Scotland - Blend
Price Paid: USD 63 (2024)
Current Locally Available Price: USD 52 (2025)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 46% ABV
Cask Makeup: Ex-bourbon casks, finished in new French oak casks
Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; batch L 12/11/2021
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 4 times over 4 months; bottles at 100%, 90% (blind tasting), 80%, and 70% (blind tasting) fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Honey stands out at first - heathery, wildflower honey, some floral scents, and a bit of malty grain... sort of a classic ex-bourbon Highland whisky nose. A fruit side develops next - sweet lemon, stone fruits. Later, there's a bit more spirit heft, and we get some rose petals and watermelon.
Palate: The mouthfeel has a medium viscosity; we're greeted by lots of honey, vanilla, lemon, and spicy oak. Cinnamon, white pepper, and some wood tannins add a kick, while cream and lemon drop candies add more sweetness. In the background, there's a nice cereal grain flavor, and we get some minerality in the spirit, too.
Finish: Vanilla, coconut, and cinnamon oatmeal combine for a creamy texture and flavor, and it's more malty in the finish. There's a soft lactic character, and we get honeycomb, nectarine, and a hint of plum in the aftertaste; it's a medium length finish.
Final Note: This is a tasty blend - reasonably priced, too. This has a classic ex-bourbon Highland malt style, full of honey, malt, and heather. There was some additional oak spice from the French oak casks, especially in the palate, but the spice was never overwhelming.
Value is good, and while this is technically a discontinued product at this point, there should still be plenty of it around. This would be a great pickup for a 'daily' sipper.
Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 7.14
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
