Finlaggan Old Reserve is a budget whisky which I picked up about two or three years ago for about € 25 at De Whiskykoning. There also is a cask strength version but we’re not sure if it’s the same whisky or even the same distillery. If so, I’m interested!

Why? Supposedly this is young Lagavulin. I love Lagavulin. From tasting this ‘standard’ version I am able to say that it is a very good possibility. Entirely sure I am not (as Yoda would say). I might need to test it with a gas chromatographer alongside a Lagavulin. I believe the Whiskykoning did that once to test Smokehead (supposedly young Ardbeg).

Finlaggan Old Reserve at Master of Malt

Sniff:
Tea and smoke with sweet dried peaches and apricots. It’s very gentle with some orange, orange peel and oak. It does have a hint of mustiness with a touch of sherry too.

Sip:
The palate is smooth, peppery with smoke. It feels rather thin and this is where the 40% abv starts playing its part. It does have a slightly bitter edge and some peppery heat. Orange peel and oak as well.

Swallow:
The finish keeps on being gentle with smoke and wood. There’s some orange and tea here as well as some pepper. The slight mustiness is back again which has a hint of wet clay. It reminded me of the crawl space under our house.

Well, what to say. For € 25 it is a very, very decent dram. If you want to build a collection on a small budget this will certainly help and you’ll get a tasty whisky as well. Apart from that 40% is way too low in alcohol and I think this would be much better at 46%. I am curious to taste the cask strength version and since it’s only € 40 I just might pick that up someday.

Finlaggan Old Reserve, 40%, shouldn’t set you back more than € 30.