The Macphail's Collection Tamdhu 8yo...

The Macphail's Collection Tamdhu 8yo (43.0%): This will be the second whisky from The Macphail's Collection range of Gordon & Macphail on tire-bouchon. The first one was an 8yo. Bunnahabhain and actually I remember Jason Debly from Jason's Scotch Whisky Reviews sending me a message right after I posted my review recommending this Tamdhu bottling of the same range but for some reason I couldn't have a chance to taste it that time. But this weekend when Joe Howell from Federal Wine and Spirits brought it up again I thought it's time to sample it and purchased the bottle. Better late than never... Tamdhu distillery was sadly mothballed in 2012 by The Edrington Group but luckily has been purchased by Ian Macleod Distillers in 2011 who also owns Glengoyne, Chieftain's range and Smokehead among other brands. There are no official plans announced yet but it wouldn't be too optimistic to think that the distillery will be up and running in near future. Color: Very pale. Crunchy, dry hay. Nose: I didn't even need to put my nose in the glass. Sweet green malt aromas overflow. It's very brisk, vibrant and young. New make spirit, honey comb, hard milk butter toffee candies. Pink grapefruit and blood orange. After allowing it air a little very distant faint smoke aromas show up with rubber band balls, vanilla and cardamom. Palate: Still very malty but a little roasted and dry this time on the palate. Table saw shavings and pine cones. Adding a few drops of water brings up green asparagus, caraway seeds and fresh cut bitter greens: dandelions, Belgian endives, radicchio. Some salty notes towards the end. Finish: Pretty long and unexpected from its age. Black pepper and malt with green wood and tree bark. Overall: I think this expression can be a little harsh to some drinkers. It's young, vegetal and malty but it is exactly what I was looking for: A perfect after work before dinner dram with a hard to believe price tag between $30 - $35.

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