{"id":6384,"date":"2016-11-15T10:02:10","date_gmt":"2016-11-15T09:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewhiskylady.net\/?p=6384"},"modified":"2016-11-15T10:10:47","modified_gmt":"2016-11-15T09:10:47","slug":"reviewing-compass-box-3-year-old-deluxe-spice-tree-extravaganza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewhiskylady.net\/reviewing-compass-box-3-year-old-deluxe-spice-tree-extravaganza\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviewing Compass Box 3 Year Old Deluxe & Spice Tree Extravaganza"},"content":{"rendered":"
I know those latest Compass Box<\/a> expressions have been around since a few months already but I never took the time to review them correctly around here, so let’s sit down and do just that!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first of those two expressions is “Three Year Old Deluxe<\/a>“, quite a provocative release, which shouldn’t come as a surprise from one of \u00a0today’s most provocative whisky makers.<\/p>\n Composed of just 0.4% three year-old malt whisky<\/strong> produced near the village of Brora (got it?)<\/em>, 90.3% malt whisky of a different\u00a0but considerably older age from the same distillery and 9.3% peaty malt whisky distilled on the Isle of Skye (got it?\u00b2)<\/em>, the current\u00a0regulations specify that only the age of the youngest component whisky may be shared with consumers through the\u00a0\u2018description, presentation or labelling of the whisky \u2013 hence the name.<\/p>\n When it comes to Spice Tree Extravaganza<\/a>, Glaser states: \u2018Ten years ago we were compelled to discontinue production of one of our most innovative Scotch whiskies \u2013 The Spice Tree<\/a> \u2013 due to a certain avant-garde approach to cask maturation that was deemed \u2018untraditional\u2019. In the years that followed we were able to work with our cooper friends in both France and Scotland to bring back The Spice Tree<\/a> and now today \u2013 on the tenth anniversary of the original bottling being banned \u2013 we are proud to release this Limited Edition whisky \u2013 Spice Tree Extravaganza<\/a>.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n Describing how this Limited Edition bottling differs from the more widely available \u2018The Spice Tree\u2019<\/a>, Glaser explains:<\/p>\n \u2018One of the definitions of the word \u2018extravaganza\u2019 is \u2018a literary or musical work marked by extreme freedom of style and structure\u2019. That\u2019s a good way to think about this whisky. As the name suggests, the liquid draws its inspiration from The Spice Tree<\/a> but reinterprets it through the use of older components and a significant portion of sherry-cask matured aged malt whisky. In this way, The Spice Tree<\/a>\u2019s trademark spice character is retained but set within a richer, more elegant frame with a new depth of flavour and complexity.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nose:<\/strong> Quite a waxy, fruity and sweet nose boasting an incredibly rich array of flavours from candied peaches, red berries, wood spices, pecan pie, cinnamon bark and one of my favourite pies ever: Amandine Tart<\/a> (if you don’t know what I’m refering to it’s basically a pear & almond pie)<\/em>. Overall, this nose is extremely promising for what’s to come next…<\/p>\n Palate:<\/strong> BAZINGA! Still showing a sweet and fruity profile but some leathery notes and a vibrant spiciness bring a whole new depth to this dram. Couldn’t have found a better name to describe this dram (let’s face it, “Spice Tree Bazinga” wouldn’t have been as attractive…). Cloves, white pepper, ginger, tobacco, mirabelle plums and even some aromas of chocolate also show in the mouth.<\/p>\n A well-crafted and balanced expression showcasing once again Compass Box’s talent when it comes to blending.<\/p>\n Finish:<\/strong> lingering with spices and more chocolatey notes<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n