This is a whisky with a criminal past. The first incarnation of the Spice Tree was released in 2005. It was discontinued after the Scotch Whisky Association threated Compass Box with legal action over the fact that the company’s use of flat oak stave insert to impart flavour to the malt was barbaric and criminal and anathema to the production of whisky. Duly cowed, the makers of the whisky started maturing stock in barrels with specially built oak casks with French oak heads. The result is a full-bodied malt whisky which shows an abundance of spice characteristics (clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla) with a little toffee, coffee, baked cherry fruit and malt characteristics. Innovative and delicious.