The source of Finlaggan has remained a very closely guarded secret. To tell the true origin of Old Reserve you'll simply have to taste it and find out!
Slightly medicinal nose with hints of peanut, sticking plasters, manuka honey and digestive biscuits.
Sweet cereals, barley malt, a little peat smoke, TCP, nutmeg and ginger.
A long, sweet finish with toasty oak and peppermint.
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It's obvious most of the negative reviews are from folks who just dont like Islay whisky, or maybe even know how it's supposed to taste. It's peaty and smoky and if you like that and you dont want to spend 50 bucks tonight, this will work. Bit light in the body and could be more complex and bright, but it's a nice Islay taste and everything is fine.
Oddly, this is the one whisky I've ever had that MUST be consumed with a bit of water or ice added. The iodine/gasoline taste is what kills this otherwise mediocre malt. Adding water brings it up to a level of ... mediocre. Will not buy again, of course.
"Peaty". For my whiskey taste buds, it is pretty dank! The immediate aroma is charred peat. The taste is peat. The finish is peat. The bottle will collect dust on the shelf. Not a fan of this regional flavor that some apparently enjoy.
I am a lover of peat, Laphroaig is my favorite. I saw an inexpensive Islay and took a chance. I'm not super happy with it. It's peaty, but a very tarry peat. Almost like the smokiness was added to the already distilled whiskey. It's closer to Ardbeg than to Laphroaig (but not nearly as good as Ardbeg). It tastes like all the flavors are forced. A very young whiskey trying to pass for something more mature and with more character but ends up being abrasive and heavy to drink. The "old reserve" should have been a warning.
Would not buy again
