.compass box - the spice tree

46% abv, €40, blended malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet (!), vanilla, floral, spices, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, green herbs, laurel, sage, fruity, apples, pears, tropical fruits, mangos, strawberries, camomile tea
Palate: sweet, candied ginger, spicy, red peppers, fruity, apples, pears, semi-dry, floral, heather, violets
Finish: long, sweet, vanilla, spicy, peppery, floral, heather, roses
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: This. This is wonderful. Sadly, the whisky as I just tasted is no longer created, but there is a re-creation available, that needs to be tasted too, someday.
For science, of course.

More info: Comprised from Highland whiskies from the village of Brora (Clynelish), Carron (Teaninich) and Alness (Dailuaine), where the first is the most present of the three.

All three whiskies have matured in first fill and re-fill American Oak casks. A two year long marriage took place in older casks, with new French oak staves submerged, a technique borrowed from French wine makers. This was frowned upon by the SWA and they had to stop this practice in 2005. After some experimenting, since 2009 second maturation takes place in similar barrels with new, heavily charred French oak heads, something that was not done at that time in the whisky industry.

Time for me to find a sample of the new release, although I could easily but a whole bottle.