Compass Box Spice Tree Extravaganza

After sampling most of Compass Box Whisky’s core blends, I realized I had overlooked their revised version of the standard Spice Tree. I recall appreciating the original for the complexity added by traditional oak casks and ex-bourbon French oak, which offered a nice contrast to CBW’s typical sherry cask profile. Extravaganza, released in 2016 to mark Spice Tree’s 10th Anniversary, is rumored to feature older stock and utilize first-fill sherry and special hybrid casks. A hybrid cask, I believe, is created when blenders or distilleries combine elements from different cask types, perhaps by attaching sherry cask ends to an ex-bourbon cask or by incorporating oak spirals from one cask style into another – essentially, taking experimentation to a new level. Extravaganza incorporated much of this experimentation while increasing the sherry-casked whisky in the blend, resulting in Spice Tree Extravaganza. The alcohol content was raised to 46%, as was the price. I paid $97 for this bottle and still feel it was worth every cent. The whisky has a rich gold hue and appears very oily. Large, watery droplets and slick legs are visible after a generous pour. The nose exhibits noticeably more sherry than the spicy notes I remember from the original Spice Tree, with vanilla and butterscotch contributing a sweet, creamy character. I do wish the nose were more akin to the original, but the palate is where the transformation truly shines. The flavor profile is significantly deeper: vanilla beans and chocolate-covered almonds give way to sherry and a spicy middle. Peppers and oak spices provide considerable warmth, making this dram truly remarkable. It remains oily on the tongue, coating the entire mouth and awakening the taste buds. It’s still incredibly rich, yet smooth. I could happily just swirl this liquid around my mouth. The finish is also quite long and warming, with spices, sweet vanilla, and sherry lingering persistently. The blend is so masterful that guessing the ages of the constituent whiskies is challenging. Despite the presence of younger spirit, I detect no weakness in its complexity or mouthfeel. It’s that good. In summary, this is a wonderful deviation from the core range, and bottles are still available in many stores. If you find it on sale, even for less than $75-80, I would buy multiple bottles. It’s elegant and sophisticated, suitable for special occasions or impressing novices, yet complex enough for in-depth discussions among whisky connoisseurs. Alternatively, you could keep it to yourself for a quiet evening on the veranda with a fine cigar. It earns a solid 4.5 stars. Cheers.

Before I overwhelm my senses with peat, let's try this one. This is another Glen Ord and Clynelish type dram, with approximately 50% being younger blends combined with 80% Clynelish and about 33% being Glen Ord of decent age. Nose - Offers a good amount of sherry and that distinct waxy note associated with Clynelish. The fruity, honeyed notes I detect are characteristic of Glen Ord, Clynelish, and Dailuaine. I also notice some orchard fruit. Despite its name suggesting spice, there's no spice here, just abundant sweet, fruity notes complemented by a healthy dose of sherry. Taste - My initial impression was the absence of spice, but I was mistaken. There's a pleasant bite, akin to French oak, initially masked by sweet, decadent, creamy fruit, vanilla, and sherry notes. However, the oak asserts itself firmly before the dram's finish takes over. I'm certain ginger, clove, and other spices are present; while I haven't dedicated time to identify them specifically, I recognize such notes in many similar whiskies, so they are likely here. Overall, a very high-quality dram. For around $125, I don't believe it's a poor value. That said, I personally wish I could have experienced the Glen Ord as a single cask; this sherry is quite good. Score - I'm torn between a 2.75 and a 3.0. The initial impression is easily a 3.0, perhaps even higher. The spicy finish is not ideal, appearing somewhat unexpectedly, and the actual finish is brief. However, the abundance of pleasant flavors, good aging, 46% ABV, absence of chill filtration, and lack of coloring make it a strong contender. If the finish matched the beginning, this could be approaching special territory. I'm settling on a 3.0, and I truly doubt anyone considering this will be disappointed. I just don't anticipate anyone being completely amazed either. The standard Spice Tree does not come close to this quality, and yes, this is worth significantly more than the standard expression.

The primary issue is the name; this is not related to Spice Tree and should not be called that. Spice Tree is an excellent, affordable, and very spicy blend. This blend is clearly older and more refined than Spice Tree, but not necessarily superior. It's like comparing a $3 authentic taco from a popular, no-frills spot to a deconstructed "taco" at a fancy restaurant with luxury ingredients and presentation. The latter isn't truly a taco. They should have named it Fruit Tree. I might have rated it higher with a different name. It's not a bad whisky. It leans towards fruitiness but does so inadequately. Approximately 50% of this blend consists of Glen Ord and Benrinnes matured in first-fill sherry casks, yielding delicate notes of red fruits, figs, and dates. A honeycomb and wax character, akin to Clynelish, is prominent, and Clynelish is indeed an ingredient. While vanilla, nutmeg, and clove are present as spices, it's hardly an 'extravaganza' of spice. The blend suggests a high price point but doesn't distinguish itself. The name and packaging are quite misleading. Score: 0 (forgettable) Retail Price: $105-140, becoming harder to find and fetching higher prices on the secondary market. Perceived Value: $90

This is the best in the usual Compass Box blended scotch range, better than Johnnie Walker Green or Blue Labels, which cost much more and are more recognized. Extravaganza is the company's "premium" version of Spice Tree, meaning the components are older and likely costlier than those in the original. At about $130, it sits in the middle of the high-end or limited Compass Box blends. It's also a fantastic whisky, though not flawless. The aroma has notes of graham cracker, oats, orange, sherry, and spice. That spice, which gives the whisky its name, becomes more prominent in the flavor, which includes pepper, all-spice, and honey along with those grain notes and sherry. The finish shows its age, being much oakier and quite long compared to standard Spice Tree. I found this scotch a little hot, which was unexpected for an older blend.

While I didn't favor the original Spice Tree, I decided to try the Extravaganza. The aroma presents gentle scents that struggle slightly against the heat. There are notes of pleasant fruit, honey, custard, and a hint of ground coffee. The palate also offers a mix of delicate flavors, primarily vanilla malt and honeyed fruits. The finish is a bit hot, slightly nutty, with a subtle yet persistent smoky character. It improved with time, but I desired more clarity. Perhaps if the alcohol content were less prominent, the subtler notes would be more apparent.

Butterscotch, vanilla, and baking spices are the highlights here. A delightful after-dinner dram for bourbon enthusiasts. It leans sweet but not excessively so. It possesses a fantastic texture and a lengthy finish, characteristic of Compass Box's premium selections. However, the price gives me pause. Is it worth twice the cost of Spice Tree? Or the price of some fine bourbons it resembles? It's hard to say.