Once again chiming in a little late here, so my apologies. I confess to not having tried the Finlaggan Cask Strength but, speaking of Islays at higher strength, last summer in Edmonton (Canada), I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of Islay malts that were exceedingly pleasant and coincidentally, like the Finlaggan, cost me C$60. I rarely shop at Costco but I was nearby and had time to kill. There I found a Kirkland (you read that right!) Islay Single Malt bottled at 50% abv for C$59.99 - single malt and 50% at a good price was virtually a siren song so I went home with a bottle and cracked it open that evening. I enjoyed it enough to go back a few days later and picked up a couple more. The other Islay was an independent bottling of an 8 year-old Caol Ila by North Star at 50.1% abv. On sale at C$60 a bottle I bought one and tried it that evening. The next morning I called the store and reserved another two. Although I never gave it a thought at the time, in hindsight several months later, I suspect the Kirkland might have been a Caol Ila. Maybe it was the peat, youth, and similar strength, but I think the profiles were pretty close, good balance between fruit, malt and peat and no sherry sweetness. Imagine if you will, a well spring of clear whisky flowing out of a peat bog and slaking your thirst for an uncomplicated but refreshing summer drink.
Really glad to hear your thoughts on this Jon. Your timing is perfect. I'm currently working on a 2l caak experiment. I've finished it in port and was thinking of buying a couple of Finlaggans to see how the peat and port work together. Love this review. Slàinte
Glad the timing worked out on this for you! This is not a bad or regret bottle for me. That said, I just don't love it as much as many people out there. Very one dimensional, which is peat. Cheers!
Hey John, bought the Fin CS in Edm and at 58% good value. I agree 1D when comparing to any of the Ardbeg but if your a peathead it does the trick. Have you tried the Finlaggan Old Reserve? Cheers and stay well.
completely agree with you, all logic points towards Caol Ila but it tastes more similar to the laga 9's pear sweetness, peat and ash. I believe its a younger lagavulin (4-6) bottled at cask strength. As for the uigeadail.. very envious! will definitely buy on my next purchase, everyone who drinks islay loves it, great review, cheers!
Thanks for watching my version! I definitely sipped along with your video a month ago and appreciated your thoughts. I got the impression you enjoyed Finlaggan more than me, but Caol Ila still won out! I really can't recommend Uigeadail enough, worth the extra for me. Take care!
@@WhiskyNeighbour Perhaps you're right, I do enjoy most islays and I enjoyed the Finlaggan, it surprised me to be honest although I went in not expecting much so perhaps that's why. I really didn't like it with water though! and like me I think you said you preferred it neat too. Thanks for watching my opinions on it, I actually think we agreed on most of it
I wanted to really love this release. It is affordable and cask strength. While not bad, it just didn't bring enjoy joy. I will not re purchase for a while I think.
"I don't mind it" ;) The Finlaggan has become a standing joke in our oldest whisky circle because we all hate it with a vengeance ;D And it is so weird how lots of other reviewers like this. To me it's just sour and alcohol. The Uigeadail on the other hand is amazing :)
The Uigeadail crushed it. I could have been even clearer. Like, so much that I would never buy this again as long as I could grab the Ugi. Still, I did not hate the Finlaggan. Honestly I was surprised by how much love it seems to have online. Wild.
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Great Review Jon...hope you are having a good weekend!
Thanks Keith. Not bad, but it suddenly got cold so I can't do the yard work I had hoped too.
Once again chiming in a little late here, so my apologies. I confess to not having tried the Finlaggan Cask Strength but, speaking of Islays at higher strength, last summer in Edmonton (Canada), I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of Islay malts that were exceedingly pleasant and coincidentally, like the Finlaggan, cost me C$60.
I rarely shop at Costco but I was nearby and had time to kill. There I found a Kirkland (you read that right!) Islay Single Malt bottled at 50% abv for C$59.99 - single malt and 50% at a good price was virtually a siren song so I went home with a bottle and cracked it open that evening. I enjoyed it enough to go back a few days later and picked up a couple more. The other Islay was an independent bottling of an 8 year-old Caol Ila by North Star at 50.1% abv. On sale at C$60 a bottle I bought one and tried it that evening. The next morning I called the store and reserved another two.
Although I never gave it a thought at the time, in hindsight several months later, I suspect the Kirkland might have been a Caol Ila. Maybe it was the peat, youth, and similar strength, but I think the profiles were pretty close, good balance between fruit, malt and peat and no sherry sweetness. Imagine if you will, a well spring of clear whisky flowing out of a peat bog and slaking your thirst for an uncomplicated but refreshing summer drink.
Love that picture, and I would certainly stop at such a bog and enjoy a dram!
Great review WN keep them coming thank you
Thanks! I enjoy sharing any thoughts I can. Cheers!
Nice Job I remember my 1st Finlaggan font it very young and harsh.
I can't really disagree. Thanks for dropping in.
Really glad to hear your thoughts on this Jon. Your timing is perfect.
I'm currently working on a 2l caak experiment. I've finished it in port and was thinking of buying a couple of Finlaggans to see how the peat and port work together.
Love this review.
Slàinte
Glad the timing worked out on this for you! This is not a bad or regret bottle for me. That said, I just don't love it as much as many people out there. Very one dimensional, which is peat. Cheers!
While you're trying Finlaggan I'm gravitating more towards Port Askaig... I haven't had a Finlaggan, Smokehead, or Mc Clelland's in a very long time.
It will be awhile till I come back to Finlaggan. Port Askaig, well, that I would have again soon, really liked a recent sample. Cheers!
Awesome review Jon 👍🏻 I am excited to try the Ancnoc Peatheart I just ordered from the LCBO.
Cool. I have not tried it. Let me know what you think when you get the chance.
Haha! I've ordered a Peatheart Batch 2 from LCBO too. Not exactly a budget bottle at $110, but so looking forward to it.
Hey John, bought the Fin CS in Edm and at 58% good value. I agree 1D when comparing to any of the Ardbeg but if your a peathead it does the trick. Have you tried the Finlaggan Old Reserve? Cheers and stay well.
I have not had the Old Reserve, is it good? I actually enjoy this, but it came up short with adding depth. Certainly good for a hit of peat!
completely agree with you, all logic points towards Caol Ila but it tastes more similar to the laga 9's pear sweetness, peat and ash. I believe its a younger lagavulin (4-6) bottled at cask strength. As for the uigeadail.. very envious! will definitely buy on my next purchase, everyone who drinks islay loves it, great review, cheers!
Thanks for watching my version! I definitely sipped along with your video a month ago and appreciated your thoughts. I got the impression you enjoyed Finlaggan more than me, but Caol Ila still won out! I really can't recommend Uigeadail enough, worth the extra for me. Take care!
@@WhiskyNeighbour Perhaps you're right, I do enjoy most islays and I enjoyed the Finlaggan, it surprised me to be honest although I went in not expecting much so perhaps that's why. I really didn't like it with water though! and like me I think you said you preferred it neat too. Thanks for watching my opinions on it, I actually think we agreed on most of it
Enjoyed the review Jon. Interesting as I have both of these in my wish list, however I think I'm going to remove the Finlaggan! Cheers 🥃🥃
I wanted to really love this release. It is affordable and cask strength. While not bad, it just didn't bring enjoy joy. I will not re purchase for a while I think.
"I don't mind it" ;) The Finlaggan has become a standing joke in our oldest whisky circle because we all hate it with a vengeance ;D And it is so weird how lots of other reviewers like this. To me it's just sour and alcohol. The Uigeadail on the other hand is amazing :)
The Uigeadail crushed it. I could have been even clearer. Like, so much that I would never buy this again as long as I could grab the Ugi. Still, I did not hate the Finlaggan. Honestly I was surprised by how much love it seems to have online. Wild.