Compass Box Spice Tree

MOM first introduced me to this magnificent ‘Vatted Malt’ after reading one of Jim Murray’s bibles. It is sublime stuff, probably my all time favourite, particularly when it’s occasionally available for less than £30. I would even say it’s on a par with some of the great Abunadh batches.

20th December 2018

John Glaser, the genius behind Compass Box, uses the term “Vatted Malt” for this type of malt scotch. So does Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

5th December 2018

Great stuff BTW. By Scottish law this is blended malt. "Vatted" is no longer a legal terminology. It isn't Blended Scotch(which has grain whisky), or Vatted Malt(which has been banned as a phrase), but Blended Malt. Calm your self down gents.

31st January 2018

long finish. I loved it! would buy over many others cough Macallan cough at similar price point. Whoever said $30 at Cosco found quite the deal. Wish I could have tried the original formula back when 18 year old single malt were $25 and everything was uphill in the snow! the simpler times

19th January 2018

Just got into scotch. This is the 10th bottle I have bought. I enjoy it. I am not blown away. May be that my palate is not developed. Would buy again but will try some others first.

19th January 2018

Great nose, rich palate, fantastic complexity at this price point - huge finish! Would point out that this is technically not a blend but a vatted malt.

30th October 2017

I first tried Spice Tree at a whisky tasting event in Scottsdale, Arizona. It blew my mind so I bought a bottle. Forget it. This whisky is a true work of art. Frankly, a MUST in any collection.

23rd September 2017

My favorite blend. Bottled at 46% is what everything should be bottled at. It's not chill filtered as well. That's so important for me. Chill filtering takes away that great mouthfeel you get.

3rd September 2017

It's a blended malt. Says so right on the label. Best blend I've had. Much better than Johnnie Green Label which is a blended malt.

2nd September 2017

This company makes great whiskey. I don't care how you spell whisky or why you think it is vatted when it says blend right on the bottle. I drunk the hole bottle...Need more

23rd August 2017

I saw this for $30 at my local Costco so I decided to give it a try. In a word - wow. I have since purchased 2 more bottles for the collection and will add more as time and funds permit. It really doesn't matter to me what it is called or how it came to be - this is one delicious spirit.

18th July 2017

This is a blended malt. A blended malt and a vatted malt are the same. For the reviewer below also while he is correcting everyone, it is whisky, not whiskey with an E.

23rd May 2017

Confusion, confusion, confusion. Many reviewers mistakenly refer to The Spice Tree as a "blended malt." That assumes that this delightful whiskey consists of a blend of single malts and younger grain whiskies. Let's set the record straight: The Spice Tree is a "Vatted Malt." That means it is a blend of single malt whiskies. All of the whiskey in the Spice Tree comes from four high quality Malt whiskies that are blended together. That fact alone distinguishes the Spice Tree from what are commonly called "blended malts." Many reviewers do not understand this distinction and are surprised that this whiskey is so remarkable. Any fool could blend four malts together - the artistry of this whiskey is the delicate balance between the four single malts that master blender John Glaser has melded together. Sublime stuff...

8th May 2017

Lovely stuff.....cannot say anything bad. It really is a much try, just so you know what a little bit of the best of everything can do. Tremendous dram.

23rd March 2017

Recently purchased a bottle of The Spice Tree from MoM and was amazed how much I liked it. Always bought Single Malts in the £30-£80 price range and this was as good as anything I've tried recently. If you've never sampled a compass box whisky and are intrigued... buy this version. You wont be disappointed. I loved it so much, I had to order a second bottle for the cabinet. Slainte.

P.s I'm very tempted by the older version of this. The Spice Tree Extravaganza RRP £91 ish

19th February 2017

I have it on good authority from an industry insider that this iS a blend of Clynelish, Dalluaine and Teaninich whiskies (though the ages are a closely guarded secret) blended and finished in specially crafted barrels.

The virgin oak heads certainly add a huge dose of vanilla and as a Dalluaine lover, I can certainly detect the rich, malty, mouth-filling smoothness of some of their best sherried vintages. (Such a shame that Diageo stopped the Flora & Fauna, it was my favourite daily dram and I'm down to my last three bottles).

Wonderfully spicy (mint and eucalyptus?), creamy nose, terrific mouth feel (no chill filtration - hooray) rich toffee, vanilla, apple, honey, lots of winter spice including anis and clove, perhaps just a touch too much pepper (shows the young age of some of the constituents?). The finish is a little hot but seeps away nicely into apples and honey.

At the price it's very good and I'll certainly be looking out for more from Compass Box.

12th December 2016

Just having my 1st taste and it's just gorgeous. Well worth the price tag.

20th October 2016

Wouldn't describe my bottle as very rich and peppery, but it's nice. I picked up on the fragrant nose and vanilla. On the palate I definitely got some spices, vanilla, and malted barley.

3rd October 2016

Very strong taste and perfect mix.

14th August 2016

Tried this blend at specialty store and fell in love with its robust flavors and incredible smoothness. Keep in mind, the "spice" does not refer to a burning sensation but it describes the bold flavors used to create this wonderful and reasonably price whisky...cheers!

17th June 2016

I love aberlour a'bunadh and glenfarclas 105 but I love Spice Tree even more!

17th December 2015

oak,spice,vanilla, nice rich finish ....not very original, but quite accurate.

I do keep ordering more.....

17th December 2015

Just buy it!

8th August 2015

Probably the best non peated whiskey I've tried at this price point. Exceptionally smooth for an unaged expression, very sweet and bursting with honeyed flavours. Very rich mouthfeel and also very accessible. This will be the default dram in the house from now on!

28th July 2015

Usually the sweet nonpeaty whiskyes dont rock my boat often...but this is something else! Cinnamon, honey, vanilla and liquorice all in perfect balance. I wonder what a cask strenght would taste like....

7th May 2015

Complex, delicious toffee, spicy, strenght, sweetness, intense deep flavours with new dimensions with every sip! My new favourite whisky after tasting more than 50 different malts and blends.

26th February 2015

Wonderful nose, taste and finish.

30th September 2014

Light on the nose, but nice nutmeg and pepper on the palate with a touch of smoke and fruit peels. Oaky dryness cuts through initial sweetness mid-palate. Delishus (hic)

5th March 2014

Nice packaging makes a nice gift and it is a smooth, almost Japanese-like taste and nose,(Hakushu?).

28th June 2013

I am currently enjoying a bottle in the states after crossing paths with this creation on this site. I am a Glenfiddich fan and have been experimenting with different whisk(e)ys for a time, coming upon this delight yesterday. Due to the high regard for this bottle, I purchased and rushed home to enjoy the contents. Three glasses into the butter-gold colored contents has pursuaded me to buy another bottle for safe keeping. The liquid washes over your tongue with sweet notes and carries a depth of subtle notes dancing alongside caramel with pepper shadows looming. Wonderful taste and value!

21st December 2012

Frankly this changed my perception of blends. Incredibly well put together with their own maturation process. Simply amazing.

21st November 2012

Love it - very good and spicy dram

19th November 2012

Smells like vanilla, caramel, medium sherry, hint of cherries and fresh cut wood. No peat. Taste alcoholic, sweet enough, mild, vanilla. Little harsh aftertones. Good persistence on the tongue. Compared to Auchentoshan three wood (more intense flavor) Ardbeg Uigeadail 2012 (peat, milder taste of alcohol, more intense flavors, less aromatic), Laphroaig Triple Wood (less aromatic, massive peat, milder, saltier, astringent taste, massive aftertaste). I recommend Auchentoshan three wood in this category, which has more intense smell and very similar taste, but milder alcoholic notes, although less vanilla and more bitterness.

11th November 2012

This is not a whisky for the faint hearted. One of the best blends out there at a fantastic price! The compass box boys are ticking so many boxes with this one. A lovely rich nose: .vanilla alongside heavy spices and fruits. Palate is spinetingling peppery with ginger and a finish full of warmth and spice. Non chill filtered and no colour. I'm in love

1st September 2012

Just bought this whisky on a whim today. So rich, spicy (obviously) yet still sweet and complex. Non-chill-filtered and 46% gives a luxurious mouthfeel and the finish lives on and on. My new favourite whisky !

7th May 2012

So many spices in this (duh), great whisky for a lively night.

10th March 2012