Whisky Focus - The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 2006 Review

Review of The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 2006.

The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 2006 was matured in a combination of First Fill and Refill Sherry Hogsheads casks and bottled at 43% ABV on the 10th April 2015.

The MacPhail's Collection is a small and exclusive range of fine single malt scotch whiskies from distilleries throughout Scotland. This 8 to 9 year old 2006 vintage Bunnahabhain bottling is a non peated expression. Gordon & MacPhail release a new vintage expression of this whisky every year but what makes it interesting is by by its very nature no two releases are the same which is due to no two casks in which the whisky is matured being 100% the same confirming G & M's philosophy that ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’

William Morrison's Tasting Notes:

Nose:  A gentle sherried nose with a touch of vanilla sweetness.

Taste: Feisty, zesty orange and lemon lead, closely followed by peppery spice and a delicious creamy icing sugar sweetness.

Finish: Medium length finish. Creamy vanilla sweetness gives way to a slightly bitter edge and some mildly drying oak.

Comment: I would guess the bigger percentage of of this whisky came from refill sherry casks with the remainder from first fill. A young and fun sherried Bunna and an excellent affordable everyday dramming unpeated expression from the Islay distillery. A great example of how the choice of casks can produce a whisky different to those you are already familiar with from the distillery in question.

SMW Score 88/100

You can find the full current Gordon & MacPhail whisky range available from specialist whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange

As part of the the ongoing series of reviews to demonstrate Gordon & MacPhail's philosophy of ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’ I have reviewed a number of single malt whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail's whisky Collections: Connoisseurs Choice, The MacPhail’s Collection and Rare Vintage, which demonstrate their philosophy of "The Wood Makes The Whisky".

Recently added Gordon & MacPhail "The Wood Makes The Whisky" reviews:

• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Tomatin 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice BenRiach 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Tormore 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Ledaig 1999
   

Previous Gordon & MacPhail "The Wood Makes The Whisky" reviews:

• Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Smith's Glenlivet 1974
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Speymalt Macallan 2006
   
• The MacPhail's Collection Glenrothes 8 Years Old
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Speyburn 1991
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels Ardmore 1996
   
• The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 8 Years Old
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Glen Grant 1954

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops
  

Whisky Focus