Nice review Geoff, great minds think alike 😉 I scored this one 87 too! I personally have had a good experience with similar bottles. Other than the average Smokehead I think Port Askaig 100% Proof and The Ileach cask strength are absolute belters. Cheers
First tried this a few years ago ,while looking for better value Islay whisky.Now always have one in the collection as I love that smokey meat vibe it has,and at its price point ,it beats many better labelled bottles.
Great review as always! Really enjoy your thoughts and tasting notes while exploring these whiskies. I ended up really liking this one. Had a similar experience as yours; kind of ignored/ was not that impressed at first, but after the 4th or 5th tasting, I found myself really enjoying it with a fair splash of water compared to most other cask strength bottles. As a big fan of peated whisky, this ended up as a good follow up after a glass of lower abv whisky. In my case the Laphroaig Lore followed by the Finlaggan really made for quite an interesting Monday evening whisky endeavour! Cheers to you, and keep the good work:)
Hy Geoff, I had that Bottle about 5Years ago and i liked it much. The only Reason for not replacing the empty One was and still is, that i very rarely have Standards in my Shelf. I always buy new Bottlings or Versions, most of them are IBs. But i tried some different Expressions of Finlaggan and i never got dissapointed. So far so good. Thanks for your Efford and your Opinion. Greetings from Germany
Hah well I used to have standards or staples on the shelf myself. But I'll admit with the channel I find myself being much more promiscuous than I once was, so I rarely buy the same thing twice. That being said, if I were to have a bang-for-buck Islay staple, this might just be one of them. Glad you've also had good experiences with Finlaggan!
I bought a bottle because I saw cask strenght 45€ shipping included, then I watched few reviews and I was even more intrigued, I'm finally having a glass now... This is gonna be always in my house, especially in winter, is not a complex amazing whisky, but for that price it's a bargain IMO, and I'm having the neck pour, can't wait it opens up.
Hahaa you cracked me up on the comment “like your mother always says…” I had ear marked this and was undecided between this or Benriach Peated Cask Strength Batch 2…will grab my self a “breakfast of champions” now! Thanks for the great review Geoff just what I was looking for!
Good to hear your thoughts. I enjoyed this, but not enough to purchase again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here and on peated whisky in general. Cheers!
Geoff I haven’t watched the review yet but want to comment before I hear your thoughts. This is a whisky I discovered and find to be great. Not only good value but delicious. The Red wine cask at 46% is also top drawer. Now have I made a fool of myself? Let’s hear what you think.
I've had Finlaggan Old Reserve, lots of it, but I've never seen the cask strength version, but I've heard good things and this review just confirms those previous reviews. Two other Mystery Peated Malts worth seeking out in the USA are Islay Gold Lorcan (from Total Wine and More) and Scarabus, both 46% ✌️
I can't say I've heard of the Lorcan. I guess it's a Total Wine exclusive. Scarabus is one I tried a while back and didn't love. I'd be interested in revisiting it down the line though. This whisky has reignited my interest in these "mystery malts" from Islay. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky More likely "Mystery Malts" from Caol Ila 😉 Scarabus about $35 where I am, and I didn't love it love it, but it was pretty good from what I recall and it didn't taste super-young like some of these budget mystery malts can; Finlaggan O.R. occasionally suffered from that and batch variation.
I tried the Ileach ages ago and found it hot and sharp. That was 8 years back. Judging by some of these comments, it seems it's time for me to revisit it. Cheers!
Hi Geoff, I’ve been buying this for a number of years now and for a high (can’t be CS its always 58%) ABV young Islay malt its good value. Which distillery it is I don’t know ( probably Caol Ila) but I would say there using every available cask they can get hold of, so could be Caol Ila distillate and mixed casks from Other Islay distilleries just to confuse us a little and it helps keep the price down. Slàinte Geoff, good review.
Hey David, glad you enjoy it. Not sure if it is or isn't cs, but it might not be. Glenfarclas seems to use some blending magic to consistently get their 105 at 60%, although I don't know how regulated/reinforced the cs rule is. Regardless, pretty happy with this stuff. Quite certain it's Caol Ila imo. Cheers! 🥃
@Auberginenpeter yes it is a single malt, but which distillery its from is a secret and cannot be named ( most likely Caol Ila)hence the good price. Slàinte
Well its either going to be Caol Ila or peated Buna, going by your tasting notes, I'd go for the latter, non chillfiltered but they do add colour. BTW Vintage Malt Whisky do own an Islay Distillery, its just that it is a Rum distillery in Port Ellen, go figure!
I haven't had any Finlaggan, but counting on the presentation of it: Islay single malt, 58%, NCF it looks like a fair deal. In Bulgaria I can have it for ~38 euros, which is very nice price for it. I wonder which of the Ileach Cask Strength, Finlaggan Cask Strength and Scarabus Batch Strength is the most interesting one. They are all priced quite closely here so the decisive factor should be the taste. I've seen very flattering reviews for the first release of Scarabus BS whilst the next one is not so well received. Cheers!
I was less impressed with the Scarabus, personally. That being said, I may have to revisit it at some point. The Ileach is on my wishlist. I tried it 8 years ago and found it hot and sharp, but it seems that a lot of people here say it's good stuff. I have no doubt that 8 years later it's a different whisky, so I'll be on the lookout for that one.
This one is represented by Richard Liao and Hot Malt here in Taiwan. He's a great guy. I almost worry for him sometimes as he seems more like a whisky lover than a business man. Regardless, he imports great stuff, and the rest of the series really turned me on to Islay whiskies finished in special casks.
I can't say I've ever met Richard, but he sounds like the best kind of brand rep! I'll have to do some more exploring from this line, it seems. This one's definitely piqued my interest. Cheers Wade!
I would suggest that Germany and Britain take a hint from single malt Whiskytube. Stockpile what your need. I realize that my OCD may be a bit ridiculous but my collection of decent (85-90 point) malt will outlast my liver by a long shot. My problem is I think of single malt as more than just a drink, sort of like art with some ethereal value. I'm not flipping but my kids can do with whatever they want with my Insanity. I feel like independent bottles have less "value" but are better whisky in the bottle so a tend to drink those. The only reason for me to crack open a bottle of this is when my frugal alcoholic buddy shows up. He can finish off my bottle of Corryvreken In one sitting while buying the Costco Islay single malt by the case for himself. He did gift me one, so he's not a bad guy. I have not opened it yet. Though I did like it more than the 46% Scarabus. Great review and these affordable bottles are the future for sure. So keep up the good work.
Yeah this certainly isn't the kind of whisky you could flip at some point. Just good value solid whisky that's meant for drinking. Just the way we like it. Cheers!
I can not believe it 🤣 I saw this video just now, but the funny thing about it is that just last night, a friend came to me with this bottle! We sat, drank, thought ... Excellent value for money, although it is not clear to the end what is poured inside. Be healthy and Shalom from Israel 👋🏻
I just ordered 2 bottles based on your review, Geoff. So if I don't like them, you'll be hearing from my lawyers. (Ok, maybe Ash at Whisky Wars had a little influence too.)
4:18 This whisky does have natural color. When they add color to it, they have to declare it on the bottle in the Netherlands and Germany. On my bottle there is no such declaration.
Hello Geoff. I thought about buying this whisky so many times but never did. I think I will now. There is a 50% ABV version (Batch Strength) in Sweden that is supposed to be Ardbeg. Not that it matters and the 58% might be different but anyway.
Ardbeg, you say? Sounds amazing! I'd be surprised if it is though. I can say with some certainty that the bottle I've got isn't Ardbeg. Caol Ila, I suspect. But yeah, sounds like your 50% bottling could be very interesting.
A few years ago i had a bottle Finlaggan Cask Strength. Too young, too sharp and too simple for me. But after watching your video, i will get another one. Cheers mate.
Thanks for that review! I had bought one here in Malta some two years ago for €35 and have yet to open it. Visited same store and could not believe a stack of these on a side shelf priced at just €20! Bought a further bottle but I think I should go back and buy many more at this price. Do you agree Geoff?
Hi Geoff, that was interesting. Some 8 years ago I tried the previous branding versions of Finlaggan. Pretty sure it was Lagavulin back then. I remember them to be ultra-dry (as in opposite to sweet). From your tasting notes I gather that this is a much sweeter version. I make a guess: recharred third-fill sherry cask? Another guess: maybe I’m wrong, but oranges in peaty Islay whisky usually point to Lagavulin. So that would still be my guess for the distillery (without having tried this one though) for Finlaggan. Perhaps take it it head to head with your lion Laga 12 CS, even though that one is bourbon matured? Let us know ;-)
I seem to remember the rumour that Finlaggan was Lagavulin back in the day. It may once have been, but I'm quite certain it's Caol Ila now. With enough water and some time in the glass the Caol Ila house style became quite clear to me. I do get some sherry flavours in this, so I suspect some sherry casks were at play. Not particularly active, so a recharred refill makes sense. Some very insightful speculation, Wouter!
Yeah I believe there's a 40% version, as well as a few special releases like wine cask finishes. I doubt the 40% could compete, but I've heard most of their releases are quite good. 🥃
@@Gwhisky I had a bottle of Askaig 100 before. It just gave me a hint of ginger tea with brown sugar which is a flavor that is less preferable for me. Guess I would give Finlagaan a try. Slàinte mhath~
I bought a bottle of this for 30€. Its ridiculous value. Makes it really hard to argue for buying a 40% Laphroaig 10 or something when you can have this for less money.
@@Gwhisky worth every penny 🙂! Better than others I have been served at that price point. Have had it at a friend's place. Not planning to buy it. Prefer Scarabus at 46% ABV for $35.
@@DileepB not bad for that money but definitely not as full of flavors as Laphroaig or Ledaig which both I have. I'm no whisk specialist by any means but I can feel it. Too watery to me. But heck, for that price?
I own over 50 bottles from Islay distilleries. I got a bottle of finlaggan from trader joe’s for $16. it is the worst whisky i own. granted it is not the cask strength version that you have. thinking about my bottle- i would not want a more powerful version of that awful juice! however, this review got me thinking if i should try this cask strength version sometime. have you tried the 40% version?
I haven't tried the regular release. I did try the cask strength years ago and I remember not liking it. However, 8 years later I'm quite happy with this whisky now. It doesn't have the sharpness or heat that it once did.
I have tried regular version of Original Peaty and well, it's definitely not Laphroaig 10 or Ledaig 10, quite watery due to low ABV. Taste and finish are definitely not so intensive. But heck, for that price, why not for regular drinking? They have stronger Elean More version and Cask strength which I think should be Caol Ila.
The shift is people looking for alternatives to overpriced brands. Laphroaig for one has been lagging of late with their offerings. As have others. There WILL be competition with all these new distilleries. What the established names forget is most scotch regulars have had these bottlings and will rather forego another expensive disappointment and try a new alternative instead.
Nice review. Hmmm…who did you call an “asshole”? In America, I did a whole lot better with that “asshole” than I am doing with the current “asshole”. Just saying.
Lol not American and not referencing anything political in your country. Literally a joke where I called the global economy an asshole for inflating whisky prices. Not everything is about American politics. Jeeeeeez...
@@Gwhisky LOL, I guess I am a little sensitive these days. The price of scotch is through the roof as is everything else. Yes, the global economy does suck. In fairness to my myopic American POV though…..you did put Trump’s meme in your video twice. You did not use a meme of Tsai lng-wen (although that would have been fun if you had). Cheers, and thank you again for your review Geoff.
@@alandiaz1041 LOL fair play. I did put a trump gif in there. Just thought it was a funny finger wag meme. I can see why the association was made. Nothing meant from it...
The way I took it was “asshole” for the shitty economy we are now in and not for my 7th favorite president, just a finger wagging funny meme. But I also wondered for a sec lol 😅
Nice review Geoff, great minds think alike 😉 I scored this one 87 too! I personally have had a good experience with similar bottles. Other than the average Smokehead I think Port Askaig 100% Proof and The Ileach cask strength are absolute belters. Cheers
I had the Ileach ages ago and wasn't impressed. But that was like 8 years ago. Seems it's time for a revisit! Cheers Ramiz!
First tried this a few years ago ,while looking for better value Islay whisky.Now always have one in the collection as I love that smokey meat vibe it has,and at its price point ,it beats many better labelled bottles.
Agree! Excellent value!
Great review as always! Really enjoy your thoughts and tasting notes while exploring these whiskies.
I ended up really liking this one.
Had a similar experience as yours; kind of ignored/ was not that impressed at first, but after the 4th or 5th tasting, I found myself really enjoying it with a fair splash of water compared to most other cask strength bottles. As a big fan of peated whisky, this ended up as a good follow up after a glass of lower abv whisky. In my case the Laphroaig Lore followed by the Finlaggan really made for quite an interesting Monday evening whisky endeavour! Cheers to you, and keep the good work:)
Hy Geoff,
I had that Bottle about 5Years ago and i liked it much. The only Reason for not replacing the empty One was and still is, that i very rarely have Standards in my Shelf. I always buy new Bottlings or Versions, most of them are IBs.
But i tried some different Expressions of Finlaggan and i never got dissapointed.
So far so good.
Thanks for your Efford and your Opinion.
Greetings from Germany
Hah well I used to have standards or staples on the shelf myself. But I'll admit with the channel I find myself being much more promiscuous than I once was, so I rarely buy the same thing twice. That being said, if I were to have a bang-for-buck Islay staple, this might just be one of them. Glad you've also had good experiences with Finlaggan!
I bought a bottle because I saw cask strenght 45€ shipping included, then I watched few reviews and I was even more intrigued, I'm finally having a glass now... This is gonna be always in my house, especially in winter, is not a complex amazing whisky, but for that price it's a bargain IMO, and I'm having the neck pour, can't wait it opens up.
Best value for money on the market I think, considering it is CS. Great to drink neat at the end of a tasting session to beat the palate fatigue😅
Agree, excellent value. Cheers Bob!
Hahaa you cracked me up on the comment “like your mother always says…” I had ear marked this and was undecided between this or Benriach Peated Cask Strength Batch 2…will grab my self a “breakfast of champions” now! Thanks for the great review Geoff just what I was looking for!
Thanks for watching, VIbhav. Glad you liked the video and I hope you like the whisky! Cheers!
Good to hear your thoughts. I enjoyed this, but not enough to purchase again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here and on peated whisky in general. Cheers!
Thanks for watching! Cheers!
Well we’re on the same page. It is just as you say, a great choice. Now try the red wine cask matured. I love this too.
Hah glad we're on the same page. It's good! It's also piqued my interest in the line. I'll keep an eye out for that red wine cask. Cheers Michael!
Geoff I haven’t watched the review yet but want to comment before I hear your thoughts. This is a whisky I discovered and find to be great. Not only good value but delicious. The Red wine cask at 46% is also top drawer. Now have I made a fool of myself? Let’s hear what you think.
I've had Finlaggan Old Reserve, lots of it, but I've never seen the cask strength version, but I've heard good things and this review just confirms those previous reviews.
Two other Mystery Peated Malts worth seeking out in the USA are Islay Gold Lorcan (from Total Wine and More) and Scarabus, both 46% ✌️
I can't say I've heard of the Lorcan. I guess it's a Total Wine exclusive. Scarabus is one I tried a while back and didn't love. I'd be interested in revisiting it down the line though. This whisky has reignited my interest in these "mystery malts" from Islay. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky More likely "Mystery Malts" from Caol Ila 😉
Scarabus about $35 where I am, and I didn't love it love it, but it was pretty good from what I recall and it didn't taste super-young like some of these budget mystery malts can; Finlaggan O.R. occasionally suffered from that and batch variation.
@@MrChristopherMolloy Good to know. Lol and yes, pretty damn sure this stuff is Caol Ila! 🥃
I'm intrigued, it sounds even better than some Islay more expensive single malt! Noted. Cheers!🍺🍺
It's good stuff! Not amazing but good value and it's interesting. 🥃
My preference is port askaig,(100) then the iliach then finlaggan. Saying that I just had the port askaig 8 for £30 and it was great!
I tried the Ileach ages ago and found it hot and sharp. That was 8 years back. Judging by some of these comments, it seems it's time for me to revisit it. Cheers!
Thanks for your review! Yeah I like it too. Gotta try it (diluted down somewhat) back to back with Leidaig 10 soon. Curious whisky
Hi Geoff, I’ve been buying this for a number of years now and for a high (can’t be CS its always 58%) ABV young Islay malt its good value. Which distillery it is I don’t know ( probably Caol Ila) but I would say there using every available cask they can get hold of, so could be Caol Ila distillate and mixed casks from Other Islay distilleries just to confuse us a little and it helps keep the price down. Slàinte Geoff, good review.
Hey David, glad you enjoy it. Not sure if it is or isn't cs, but it might not be. Glenfarclas seems to use some blending magic to consistently get their 105 at 60%, although I don't know how regulated/reinforced the cs rule is. Regardless, pretty happy with this stuff.
Quite certain it's Caol Ila imo. Cheers! 🥃
@Auberginenpeter yes it is a single malt, but which distillery its from is a secret and cannot be named ( most likely Caol Ila)hence the good price. Slàinte
@Auberginenpeter sorry if I wasn’t clear ( or I didn’t explain myself properly) but I meant empty casks from other distilleries.
A pungent islay belter probably from coal ila stock. This finlaggan cs is the glenfarclas 105 of islays and a rough diamond and hidden gem.
Finlaggan is good. I like it. I am on a tight budget. It always delivers.
Well its either going to be Caol Ila or peated Buna, going by your tasting notes, I'd go for the latter, non chillfiltered but they do add colour. BTW Vintage Malt Whisky do own an Islay Distillery, its just that it is a Rum distillery in Port Ellen, go figure!
It's Caol Ila if you ask me. Didn't know they did rum! 🥃
I haven't had any Finlaggan, but counting on the presentation of it: Islay single malt, 58%, NCF it looks like a fair deal. In Bulgaria I can have it for ~38 euros, which is very nice price for it.
I wonder which of the Ileach Cask Strength, Finlaggan Cask Strength and Scarabus Batch Strength is the most interesting one. They are all priced quite closely here so the decisive factor should be the taste. I've seen very flattering reviews for the first release of Scarabus BS whilst the next one is not so well received.
Cheers!
I was less impressed with the Scarabus, personally. That being said, I may have to revisit it at some point. The Ileach is on my wishlist. I tried it 8 years ago and found it hot and sharp, but it seems that a lot of people here say it's good stuff. I have no doubt that 8 years later it's a different whisky, so I'll be on the lookout for that one.
This one is represented by Richard Liao and Hot Malt here in Taiwan. He's a great guy. I almost worry for him sometimes as he seems more like a whisky lover than a business man. Regardless, he imports great stuff, and the rest of the series really turned me on to Islay whiskies finished in special casks.
I can't say I've ever met Richard, but he sounds like the best kind of brand rep! I'll have to do some more exploring from this line, it seems. This one's definitely piqued my interest. Cheers Wade!
こればっかは
スモークヘッドハイボルテージを推したいです。
I've tried Smokehead. I believe I reviewed it before. It's good!
ありがとうございます。
視聴します！^_^
I would suggest that Germany and Britain take a hint from single malt Whiskytube. Stockpile what your need.
I realize that my OCD may be a bit ridiculous but my collection of decent (85-90 point) malt will outlast my liver by a long shot. My problem is I think of single malt as more than just a drink, sort of like art with some ethereal value. I'm not flipping but my kids can do with whatever they want with my Insanity.
I feel like independent bottles have less "value" but are better whisky in the bottle so a tend to drink those. The only reason for me to crack open a bottle of this is when my frugal alcoholic buddy shows up. He can finish off my bottle of Corryvreken In one sitting while buying the Costco Islay single malt by the case for himself. He did gift me one, so he's not a bad guy. I have not opened it yet. Though I did like it more than the 46% Scarabus.
Great review and these affordable bottles are the future for sure. So keep up the good work.
Yeah this certainly isn't the kind of whisky you could flip at some point. Just good value solid whisky that's meant for drinking. Just the way we like it. Cheers!
I can not believe it 🤣
I saw this video just now, but the funny thing about it is that just last night, a friend came to me with this bottle! We sat, drank, thought ... Excellent value for money, although it is not clear to the end what is poured inside.
Be healthy and Shalom from Israel 👋🏻
Hah great timing, it seems. Glad you and your friend enjoyed it, Ron. It's surprisingly good. As for what it is... my guess is Caol Ila. Shalom!
@@Gwhisky
It was on this occasion that we had a dispute - is it Caol Ila or Lagavulin? 👌🏻
I just ordered 2 bottles based on your review, Geoff. So if I don't like them, you'll be hearing from my lawyers. (Ok, maybe Ash at Whisky Wars had a little influence too.)
4:18 This whisky does have natural color. When they add color to it, they have to declare it on the bottle in the Netherlands and Germany. On my bottle there is no such declaration.
Hello Geoff. I thought about buying this whisky so many times but never did. I think I will now. There is a 50% ABV version (Batch Strength) in Sweden that is supposed to be Ardbeg. Not that it matters and the 58% might be different but anyway.
Ardbeg, you say? Sounds amazing! I'd be surprised if it is though. I can say with some certainty that the bottle I've got isn't Ardbeg. Caol Ila, I suspect. But yeah, sounds like your 50% bottling could be very interesting.
Only from the third time it became delicious to me. Now I agree it's a good whiskey👍 I agree with you😁
It took me a while to warm up to it, too! Glad you enjoy.
Good job Geoff ! Like : )
4:06 that was pretty funny, I will admit 🤣
A few years ago i had a bottle Finlaggan Cask Strength. Too young, too sharp and too simple for me. But after watching your video, i will get another one. Cheers mate.
Yeah this doesn't seem to have much in common with the Finlaggans of yesteryear. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for that review! I had bought one here in Malta some two years ago for €35 and have yet to open it. Visited same store and could not believe a stack of these on a side shelf priced at just €20! Bought a further bottle but I think I should go back and buy many more at this price. Do you agree Geoff?
It's good. I'd open your first bottle to see how you feel about it before you buy a huge supply, but that's definitely a hell of a deal! 🥃
Almost 70€ here in Norway.
Your mother's got great intuition when it comes to whisky presentation! Higher ABV please!
😂😂😂
Hi Geoff, I hope you will be part of the 2022 OSWA's.
Sounds fun! I might just put my name in! 😉🥃
Yasss
Hi Geoff, that was interesting. Some 8 years ago I tried the previous branding versions of Finlaggan. Pretty sure it was Lagavulin back then. I remember them to be ultra-dry (as in opposite to sweet). From your tasting notes I gather that this is a much sweeter version. I make a guess: recharred third-fill sherry cask? Another guess: maybe I’m wrong, but oranges in peaty Islay whisky usually point to Lagavulin. So that would still be my guess for the distillery (without having tried this one though) for Finlaggan. Perhaps take it it head to head with your lion Laga 12 CS, even though that one is bourbon matured? Let us know ;-)
I seem to remember the rumour that Finlaggan was Lagavulin back in the day. It may once have been, but I'm quite certain it's Caol Ila now. With enough water and some time in the glass the Caol Ila house style became quite clear to me. I do get some sherry flavours in this, so I suspect some sherry casks were at play. Not particularly active, so a recharred refill makes sense. Some very insightful speculation, Wouter!
I would love to try this drink
The Diageo sublimal cracked me up. Nice. Have to try this one. Tried the regular one (aren´t there 2 of them?), surprised me.
Yeah I believe there's a 40% version, as well as a few special releases like wine cask finishes. I doubt the 40% could compete, but I've heard most of their releases are quite good. 🥃
North Star ⭐️ Chaos is another goody 😀😀
Never seen it here, but I'll be on the lookout. North Star has a great reputation. Thanks for the suggestion!
How does this compare with Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength?
I prefer Laphroaig 10. 🥃
Local Tw fan here.
Me recently looking for a daily cask-strength peated whisky
Would u prefer the port askaig 100 proof or this one
I think most people would say Port Askaig, but I much prefer this one. Cheers. 🥃
@@Gwhisky
I had a bottle of Askaig 100 before. It just gave me a hint of ginger tea with brown sugar which is a flavor that is less preferable for me. Guess I would give Finlagaan a try.
Slàinte mhath~
Cheers Pat. Fwiw I've got a rereview of the Port Askaig 100 out tomorrow. Spoiler... I still think it's "meh." 🥃
I bought a bottle of this for 30€. Its ridiculous value. Makes it really hard to argue for buying a 40% Laphroaig 10 or something when you can have this for less money.
I have only seen the entry level 40% ABV Finlaggan at Trader Joe's for under $25!
Any good?
@@Gwhisky worth every penny 🙂! Better than others I have been served at that price point. Have had it at a friend's place. Not planning to buy it. Prefer Scarabus at 46% ABV for $35.
@@DileepB not bad for that money but definitely not as full of flavors as Laphroaig or Ledaig which both I have. I'm no whisk specialist by any means but I can feel it. Too watery to me. But heck, for that price?
ANy chance u get a hold of ROyal Lochnagar . . . Finlaggan came to Ontario some 10 years ago, but had never returned , sadly.
I've seen the 12 RL around at 40%. Is it good?
@@Gwhisky ((RL12 is competent, like Cragganmore12 . . . only got it to commemorate Her Majesty's passing. Distillery near Balmoral Estate...))
I own over 50 bottles from Islay distilleries. I got a bottle of finlaggan from trader joe’s for $16. it is the worst whisky i own. granted it is not the cask strength version that you have. thinking about my bottle- i would not want a more powerful version of that awful juice! however, this review got me thinking if i should try this cask strength version sometime. have you tried the 40% version?
I haven't tried the regular release. I did try the cask strength years ago and I remember not liking it. However, 8 years later I'm quite happy with this whisky now. It doesn't have the sharpness or heat that it once did.
I have tried regular version of Original Peaty and well, it's definitely not Laphroaig 10 or Ledaig 10, quite watery due to low ABV. Taste and finish are definitely not so intensive. But heck, for that price, why not for regular drinking? They have stronger Elean More version and Cask strength which I think should be Caol Ila.
My very first Islay whisky was the 40% Finlaggan. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this one.
Just a note, the ferry that takes you to Islay is called the Finlaggan.
1 on the stash
Good man! 🥃
The shift is people looking for alternatives to overpriced brands. Laphroaig for one has been lagging of late with their offerings.
As have others. There WILL be competition with all these new distilleries. What the established names forget is most scotch regulars have had these bottlings and will rather forego another expensive disappointment and try a new alternative instead.
Well said!
8-yr-old Caol Ila
Yeah I'm pretty sure it's Caol Ila.
I voted for laphroaig cask😢 lol
No worries, I'll be reviewing it soon! 🥃
Nice review. Hmmm…who did you call an “asshole”? In America, I did a whole lot better with that “asshole” than I am doing with the current “asshole”. Just saying.
Lol not American and not referencing anything political in your country. Literally a joke where I called the global economy an asshole for inflating whisky prices. Not everything is about American politics. Jeeeeeez...
@@Gwhisky LOL, I guess I am a little sensitive these days. The price of scotch is through the roof as is everything else. Yes, the global economy does suck. In fairness to my myopic American POV though…..you did put Trump’s meme in your video twice. You did not use a meme of Tsai lng-wen (although that would have been fun if you had). Cheers, and thank you again for your review Geoff.
@@alandiaz1041 LOL fair play. I did put a trump gif in there. Just thought it was a funny finger wag meme. I can see why the association was made. Nothing meant from it...
The way I took it was “asshole” for the shitty economy we are now in and not for my 7th favorite president, just a finger wagging funny meme. But I also wondered for a sec lol 😅