Comments on: Review: The MacPhail’s Collection (Highland Park, Glenrothes, Tamdhu) http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:44:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jason Debly http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-74233 Jason Debly Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:35:15 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-74233 John, why do you think Tamdhu has been closed? John, why do you think Tamdhu has been closed?

]]> By: Zeke Montro http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-65321 Zeke Montro Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:48:37 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-65321 Thanks for the writeup - I've been looking for more info on these! Quick question: When you wrote: "And all aged in refill sherry casks,..." do you know if it's EXCLUSIVELY aged in sherry casks, or is it only a small percentage? I'm always curious about the influence of sherry wood on scotch, and have debated the extent of it with friends for ages. Often times these are 2nd or 3rd refills, and at that, they are only with 5-10% of the casks used. So how do I get more info on this - or is it a closely guarded secret of the distilleries? Thanks again! Thanks for the writeup – I’ve been looking for more info on these! Quick question: When you wrote: “And all aged in refill sherry casks,…” do you know if it’s EXCLUSIVELY aged in sherry casks, or is it only a small percentage? I’m always curious about the influence of sherry wood on scotch, and have debated the extent of it with friends for ages. Often times these are 2nd or 3rd refills, and at that, they are only with 5-10% of the casks used. So how do I get more info on this – or is it a closely guarded secret of the distilleries?
Thanks again!

]]> By: Macphail’s Collection Highland Park 8 Review and Tasting Notes | Whisky Party http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-51668 Macphail’s Collection Highland Park 8 Review and Tasting Notes | Whisky Party Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:10:38 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-51668 [...] Mr. John Hansell likes this “fresh, easy drinking, ‘anytime’ dram,” giving the “honeyed vanilla, mango, nectarine, pineapple in syrup, floral notes, and delicate brine” an 83/100.  The Macphails’ Collection bottlings received Malt Advocate’s Best Buy of the Year for 2009. [...] [...] Mr. John Hansell likes this “fresh, easy drinking, ‘anytime’ dram,” giving the “honeyed vanilla, mango, nectarine, pineapple in syrup, floral notes, and delicate brine” an 83/100.  The Macphails’ Collection bottlings received Malt Advocate’s Best Buy of the Year for 2009. [...]

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-37437 John Hansell Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:23:53 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-37437 I wouldn't worry about it. Just enjoy the whiskies! :) I wouldn’t worry about it. Just enjoy the whiskies! :)

]]> By: Ken http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-37362 Ken Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:26:45 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-37362 John, I've compared my three bottles very carefully side-by-side three times over the past few months, and consistently find myself so at odds with your review that I wonder if something got mixed up. Of my samples: - the HIghland Park label is the peaty one, the deepest and most complex of the three, with live salt marsh, old leather, and good cigar in balance with the oak and sherry sweetness all the way through the finish. Light in color, but in the middle of the three; my second favorite, and the one I'd call "stylish". - the Glenrothes label is the unfishished one, the harshest and most neutral of the three, with Elmer's glue and mineral clay. It seems not to have yet developed something to cover the bitterness intrinsic to a raw finish, so I'd like to see it after at least a few more years on oak. The lightest in color of the three; my least favorite, and the one I'd call "aggressive". - the Tamdhu label is the dessert one, the most luxurious and comforting of the three, with sweet smoky Bourbon and banana cream pie. Medium in color, the darkest of the three; my favorite, and the one I'd call "easy-drinking, anytime". What do you think? John, I’ve compared my three bottles very carefully side-by-side three times over the past few months, and consistently find myself so at odds with your review that I wonder if something got mixed up. Of my samples:

- the HIghland Park label is the peaty one, the deepest and most complex of the three, with live salt marsh, old leather, and good cigar in balance with the oak and sherry sweetness all the way through the finish. Light in color, but in the middle of the three; my second favorite, and the one I’d call “stylish”.

- the Glenrothes label is the unfishished one, the harshest and most neutral of the three, with Elmer’s glue and mineral clay. It seems not to have yet developed something to cover the bitterness intrinsic to a raw finish, so I’d like to see it after at least a few more years on oak. The lightest in color of the three; my least favorite, and the one I’d call “aggressive”.

- the Tamdhu label is the dessert one, the most luxurious and comforting of the three, with sweet smoky Bourbon and banana cream pie. Medium in color, the darkest of the three; my favorite, and the one I’d call “easy-drinking, anytime”.

What do you think?

]]> By: Highland Park 8 year old MacPhail’s Collection « The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-21698 Highland Park 8 year old MacPhail’s Collection « The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:47:44 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-21698 [...] On top of that, John Hansell of Malt Advocate gave this particular expression a nice little review.  I’ll pay $35 for an 83pt whisky (especially if it’s Highland Park)!! You can check out John Hansell’s review here. [...] [...] On top of that, John Hansell of Malt Advocate gave this particular expression a nice little review.  I’ll pay $35 for an 83pt whisky (especially if it’s Highland Park)!! You can check out John Hansell’s review here. [...]

]]> By: jpact http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-21098 jpact Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:39:50 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-21098 My question exactly. Haven't seen these in St. Louis yet. My question exactly. Haven’t seen these in St. Louis yet.

]]> By: Gary http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-20049 Gary Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:14:17 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-20049 Are these available at retail and where? Are these available at retail and where?

]]> By: Best in Blog #73: Laphroaig Plays Up Maker’s Mark Relationships and 14 New Tasting Notes | Whisky Party http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-19880 Best in Blog #73: Laphroaig Plays Up Maker’s Mark Relationships and 14 New Tasting Notes | Whisky Party Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:01:04 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-19880 [...] Hansell finds good value in the “MacPhail’s Collection” – three eight year old whiskies for only $30 [...] [...] Hansell finds good value in the “MacPhail’s Collection” – three eight year old whiskies for only $30 [...]

]]> By: Ralph Biscuits http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-19828 Ralph Biscuits Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:35:18 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-19828 I have had all three of these as well. I like the Glenrothes the best. The Highland Park a very close second and The Tamdhu a close third. I agree with Neil that The Tamdhu takes water very nicely. The Glenrothes does as well. I have had all three of these as well. I like the Glenrothes the best. The Highland Park a very close second and The Tamdhu a close third. I agree with Neil that The Tamdhu takes water very nicely. The Glenrothes does as well.

]]> By: Neil Fusillo http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-19823 Neil Fusillo Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:17:23 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-19823 I've all three of these, and I have to say I like the Tamdhu the best. It opens up incredibly well with a little water and has some fun toffee complexity I enjoy. The Glenrothes is my second favourite, followed by the HP (which tasted a lot like young HP to me -- go figure). I’ve all three of these, and I have to say I like the Tamdhu the best. It opens up incredibly well with a little water and has some fun toffee complexity I enjoy. The Glenrothes is my second favourite, followed by the HP (which tasted a lot like young HP to me — go figure).

]]> By: Mark http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-19810 Mark Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:35:07 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-19810 Thanks, John, for the formal reviews of these winners. I have the HP and Tamdhu and have opened the HP. These reviews are helpful examples of how low-to-mid 80s Hansell scores mean good whisky. It seems odd that in Chicago, I'm still waiting to see The Glenrothes. I'll definitely keep an eye out, though! Oh, by the way, the MA arrived today. It was pleasant to see the Chicago whisky bars feature and see that Terry Sullivan has a humor column. It was a good mail day. Thanks, John, for the formal reviews of these winners. I have the HP and Tamdhu and have opened the HP. These reviews are helpful examples of how low-to-mid 80s Hansell scores mean good whisky.

It seems odd that in Chicago, I’m still waiting to see The Glenrothes. I’ll definitely keep an eye out, though!

Oh, by the way, the MA arrived today. It was pleasant to see the Chicago whisky bars feature and see that Terry Sullivan has a humor column. It was a good mail day.

]]> By: B.J. Reed http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/03/08/review-the-macphails-collection-highland-park-glenrothes-tamdhu/#comment-19806 B.J. Reed Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:01:54 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3968#comment-19806 I have the Tamdhu - Excellent! Lets hope the reopen soon. I have the Tamdhu – Excellent! Lets hope the reopen soon.

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