The Spice Tree - Compass Box - Malt Scotch Whisky
The Second Coming. Fisrt launched in 2005, we were forced to discontinue production under a legal threat by the Scotch Whisky Association for our pionneering use of the highest quality French oak inner staves. This, despite rave reviews from consumers, trade and press. We agreed to disagree with SWA and halted production (for the full story, see www.compassboxwhisky.com).
Over the past three years we have developed a new maturation process which yields similar if not superior results to our previous method, and this new process is something the SWA can`t take any issue with.
The Whisky & Method. As in the past. The Spice Tree is 100% malt whisky sourced from northern Highland distilleries, (notably and primarily malt whisky distilled at the Clynelish distillery). The primary maturation is in a mix of first first-fill and refill American oak.
What is different is the secodary maturation. Rather than using inner stave inserts, as we did for the original Spice Tree, we rack the whisky into barrels with heavely toasted new French oak heads. We have created a method for getting a super heavy toast on the cask heads which imparts a flavour profile similar to the flat staves used for the original Spice Tree. We use oak with three different levels of toasting on the barrel heads, thus allowing us to blend the resultant whiskies to create additional layers of complexity. This secundary maturation lasts as long as two years.
Flavour Descriptors: Big, sweet aromas of clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. The palate is full, round and sweet, with the spice and vanilla complementing the core distillery characters and leaving a long finish.Distillery Sourcing: Sourced entirely from northern Highland single malt distilleries, primarily malt whisky distilled at the Clynelish distillery. All 10 to 12 years-old.Wood: Primary maturation: first-fill and refill American oak. Secundary maturation: custom barrels with heavily toasted new French oak heads sourced from 195 year-old Vosges forests.Bottling Details: Bottled at 46% alcohol by volume. Natural colour. Not chill filtered.
