Compass Box Spice Tree Scotch Whisky (750Ml)

Compass Box is a whisky maker based in London. John Glaser founded it in 2000, after years with a large drinks company in the UK. He wanted to make Scotch whisky his own way. That idea still shapes every bottle, from The Spice Tree to the easygoing Artist’s Blend.

The Spice Tree is a blended malt, made only from malt whiskies. It first came out in 2005. That early version used extra oak staves inside the cask. The Scotch Whisky Association objected, so production stopped. Compass Box then worked with coopers in France and Scotland on a new cask. Its heads are heavy-toasted new French oak from the Vosges forests, and its body is American oak. The relaunch brings back the rich spice of the original.

On the nose you find clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The palate is full, round and sweet. Baking spices wrap around a core of fruity malt, with toasty oak in the background. The finish is long, rich and spicy. It is bottled at 46% with natural color and no chill filtration, so the texture stays full.

This whisky has a long list of medals. It was named Best Blended Malt Scotch at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2015. It won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2019 and 2020. The World Whiskies Awards gave it Gold in 2020. It also took Gold at the Scotch Whisky Masters in 2018 and 2022.

The Spice Tree is made for after dinner. Pour it neat or over a single ice cube and take your time. It goes well with strong cheese, dark chocolate or a slice of spice cake. If you love the warm spices of the holidays, this bottle will feel like home.