Finlaggan Old Reserve Islay Single Malt

Smoke, cigar paper, barley, sea salt, medium smoothness.

Good considering the $19 price tag. A bit watery at 40% but nice peat. Campfire then hints of leather. Spicy finish.

Nose: peat but heavy on a medicinal plastic side. Sea brine. Mouthfeel: watery. Not oily or rich at all. Taste: medium, short lived alcohol burn. Finish is short. Little to no depth that last as long as a flash in the pan. Dried fruit, honey is there if you look hard enough. Nothing really shines though. Daily low cost drinker? Meh. For the cost (depending on where you live) pick up a bottle of bowmore for the same price.

My daily dram budget is in the sub $30 level. Saw this in Trader Joe’s and had to try it since I am a big Isaly, peaty whisky fan. I love this stuff and always have a bottle on hand. It almost seems to good to be true, I think it is almost as good as the Laphroig 10yr.