Finlaggan Old Reserve

 

 

 

40° 

Distillery Officially Unknwon - Islay 

Bourbon Casks 

Independent Bottling 

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Company Limited

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in1992

Peated around 35 to 38 ppm 

Old Reserve is probably the oldest expression of Finlaggan, it seems to have been created at the same time as the company that produced it, in 1992. Its name is a bit of an antiphrase, because the liquid would be aged between 4 and 6 years approximately. But it is aged in Small Batches, only 200-litre Bourbon casks, which speeds up ageing.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The Bourbon is felt right away, vanilla, fairly dry lemon, yellow fruits. It goes well with the peaty side, fine and grainy smoke, swirls of ash, very greasy charcoal. On the other hand, it somewhat masks the iodine, which remains in the background. Tide, kelp, foam. On the palate, it's oily, olives, pastry cream, some spices. The peat brings a nice thickness, but it remains light. Decent finish, not very long but effective, just enough explosiveness. Lignite, black earth, heather, coffee beans.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad. You can drink it quickly. It lets itself be swallowed without being aggressive. On the other hand, it leaves few memories. I was a little disappointed by the nose, which was too  much bourbon in my opinion. The rest is fine, but unremarkable. The Eilean Mor is more interesting, stronger in alcohol, it leaves more room for the distillate. The Old Reserve has no side interest, except a lower price. It's Caol Ila, in case you don't know.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          The Distillers  The Hunger