Dr. Scotchtagon Presents: Compass Box Spice Tree

So I’m back after what seemed like a long absence, your esteemed editor having posted my bail in time for UFC 145. Thanks to all the well-wishers that have sent emails while I was away. My attorney has advised me not to speak on the matter, other than to say that I’m certain once the facts are viewed impartially, the only conclusion one can possibly reach is that I acted in self-defense. 

The whisky I’m reviewing tonight was once ruled illegal by the Scotch Whisky Association. It’s a vatted malt (blended from different distilleries) blended by John Glaser. Glaser is really serious about the types of wood he uses, which makes sense because as a blender that buys from many distilleries, the two things he has control over are the blend and the barrel. So what Mr. Glaser originally did to make this unique whisky was to put staves of new French oak in the barrels. 

If you don’t know much about wood, French oak is really flavorful and used to make the supremely vanilla-ey wines favored by the critic Robert Parker. It’s also way more expensive than the typical wood used for making scotch, which is generally aged in barrels that have been used already (generally bourbon or sherry depending on the maker). Glaser put the staves in the barrel to enhance the whiskey’s flavor, but the Scotch Whisky Association caught wind of it and wasn’t pleased. They told Glaser it was non-traditional and he had to stop or he couldn’t call the stuff scotch. 

By then, the combination of brouhaha and favorable reviews led to Spice Tree’s selling out. Compass Box agreed to stop making it with the staves in the barrel, I believe the solution was to use the French oak to make the head of the barrel instead to avoid the ire of the ultra-conservative SWA. That’s the story in a nutshell, on to the review:

For all the uproar over the new oak, this whisky is not too oaky. Couldn’t have been exposed to French oak for too long. Spice Tree is actually much more balanced than the Oak Cross, which is also from Compass Box. I found Oak Cross to be a little over the top. Spice Tree is very spicy and the flavor lingers for a while after it has gone down.  A nice way to start the evening before the UFC 145 prelims on Facebook. This might be my favorite scotch from Compass Box.

I’ll give it a 153 out of 158.3. 

Dr. Scotchtagon Reviews: Highland Park 18-Year-Old

Ms. Octagon got this one for me the last time she went to the liquor store unaccompanied. She’s taking good care of me and the liquor store employee that recommended it should be commended. 

Highland Park is made in the Orkney Islands, in the northern-most distillery in Scotland.  This whisky is light-colored, smooth and sweet, with a little salt and smoke to it. It has a really nice aroma and is very well-balanced and easy to drink. Fortunately I don’t have a full bottle left, or I would be incapable of writing this review. Time for the main event, but I give this one a 156 out of 158.3.  Highly recommended. Next time in this space I think I’m going to start running through the Compass Box sampler I recently acquired. 

Winter Wit, Almanac Beer Co., San Jose, CA, 7%.

Almanac does one beer a season, and they do it damn well. This wheat ale, with its hints of orange and ginger, is a refreshing alternative to the more traditional stouts and barleywines of winter.

Double Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, Calif., 10.5% abv.

As the angry, hulking, big brother of Stone’s popular Arrogant Bastard, this American strong ale delivers a hop-soaked beatdown.

Burton Baton, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE, 10% abv.

This blend of English old ale and imperial IPA is aged on oak until it tastes like the beverage equivalent of a Golden Retriever puppy napping in a nest of hundred dollar bills.

thekidmoe:

90 Shilling Amber Ale, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO, 5.3% abv.

Damn this is good, possibly my favorite amber. A six pack of this could disappear very quickly.

Bitter American Extra Pale Ale, 21st Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA. 4.4% abv.

Don’t let the name fool you, this session beer is as smooth as the Fourth Judge’s lily white, over-lotioned right hand.

Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge Brewery, Breckenridge, CO, 4.7% abv.

After being disappointed by their Avalanche Ale, Breckenridge has totally redeemed itself with this tasty cold weather brew. Delicious roasted chocolate and nut flavors with just the right amount of vanilla sweetness.

thekidmoe:

Dirty Hippie Dark Wheat, Palisade Brewing Company, Palisade, CO, 5.3% abv.

Palisade Brewing’s motto is “Beer That Makes You Smile.” Sounds like it was written by a dirty hippie, but in this case they are correct. I give it 7 out of 10 dreadlock beads.

thekidmoe:

Buffalo Gold Golden Ale, Boulder Beer Company, Boulder, CO, 4% abv.

This is probably still refreshing after a long night of punching the life out of someone, but otherwise save it for the spit bucket.

thekidmoe:

Breckenridge Avalanche Amber Ale, [bottle says 3.2~=4.0% abw, their website says 4.33/5.41% abw], Breckenridge, Colorado.

Meh, better than water.

thekidmoe:

Hibernation Ale, Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, CO. English Style Old Ale, 8.7% abv.

Served on draft, a great winter warmer.