The Return of the Spice Tree with Compass Box Meet-up Part 2, October 19th

Photo credits: Lush Life Productions



The Return of the Spice Tree with Compass Box- Part 2
Location: Beekman Bar and Books, NYC



Back at Beekman, Mr. John Glaser has come to join us in the explanation in The Return of the Compass Box to tell us what that exactly means.

Asyla, this is a blended scotch whisky, which is sweet, delicate, smooth on the palate, with flavors of vanilla cream, cereals, and sweet oakiness. They blend from the distilleries of Elgen, Longmorn, and Ballindalloch. It's a single grain whisky from Fife, and all of them ate 10-12 years old. And it's 40% non chilled filtered with natural color.

Oak Cross has a soft palate of pure apples, with notes of clove and vanilla, malty and subtle. It's 100% from the Highlands of Single Moss from the villages of Alness, Brora, Carron, and they are all 10-12 years old. They're made from American and French oaks, bottled at, 43% with natural color non chilled.

The Peat Monster is full on the palate. Rich and loaded with smokiness, peat maltiness, and hints of fruit and spice. The majority of the whiskys are from Port Askaig, and the Speyeside village of Kennethont, and they are all between 10-15 years old. It's a mix of first filled, and refilled American oak.

Hedonism is one of Scotlands rare bottlings of 100% grain whiskey. Elegant flavors of vanilla cream, toffee, and coconut. Typically, the source is from Cameron Bridge, and Cambus. All these whiskeys are 12-25 years old, 100% first filled American oak barrels were rejuvenated American Oak Hogs Head. It is bottled at 43%.

Spice Tree has a little story they would like to share with world. I will sum it up in the most simplest way that you can understand it though! It was first launched in 2005, but was forced to close down, due to the (SWA) Scotch Whisky Association. SWA felt that whisky could not use french oak inner staves in the barrel. Compass Box didn't agree but had to stop the production!

This is what it's about and why it's not permitted. French oak staves is very spicy and most people would agree that this is the best wood to use and is very costly. It's about $2-300 and is considered very high end in the whisky making process!

The SWA said that you cannot put anything in the barrels when aging, but John Glaser (Compass Box whisky maker)figured it out and started to put the staves in the top and bottom of the barrels! What a smart guy-huh!

Within the past 3 years, John Glaser created this similar process/method that the SWA finally approved of, which he can now produce his 100% malt whisky in peace!

The break down: 46% ABV, has a natural color, non chill filtered, 10-12 years aged, and it is distilled from the Clynelish distillery.

Spice Tree in my opinion, is a malty and rich whisky that would pair very well with most cheeses and desserts, such as a rum cake, spice cake, gingerbread cake, cheesecake, and possibly flan! Also, I would use this whisky in an egg nog cocktail and a hot toddy, due to the tasting and nosing notes that I've experienced. They are hints of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

I guess you can now see why I love this brand and why I had such a great time tasting these great whiskies from one of the master minds/whisky maker, Mr. John Glaser. I thank you!!

Slaandjivaa!!