For today’s review, I’m diving into the Finlaggan Old Reserve, and the first thing that jumps out is the price tag. You can pick this bottle up for as little as €23 online, which immediately had my bargain-hunter senses tingling.
Now, cheap doesn’t always mean good whisky, but since this is a peated Islay single malt — and I tend to enjoy younger expressions from that smoky little Scottish island — I might have just stumbled upon a hidden gem. Whether this affordable Islay delivers the goods, however, is something we’ll find out in the tasting notes below.
About Finlaggan
Finlaggan is produced by the Vintage Malt Whisky Company, an independent bottler known for a variety of single malts. Alongside Finlaggan, they also bottle brands such as Cooper’s Choice, The Ileach, Islay Storm, and Smokestack — all with a strong focus on smoky, peated styles.
Finlaggan is the company’s flagship brand and dates back to its early days. The Old Reserve sits alongside the Original as part of the core range, though Finlaggan also releases numerous limited editions featuring different cask finishes and ABVs.
Interestingly, it can be tricky to spot the difference between the Original and the Old Reserve. My own bottle even had an “Artist Edition Old Reserve” label taped over an older Finlaggan Original label — which makes me suspect they might just be the same whisky in a new outfit.
This particular bottle came courtesy of A Brand New Day, the Dutch importer of Finlaggan, and I happily seized the chance to give it a proper review.
Tasting Notes: Finlaggan Old Reserve
Stats
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Distillery: Undisclosed (Islay single malt)
- Natural Colour: No
- Chill-filtered: Yes
Nose
Right away, there’s a maritime character — think sea spray, salt air, and a faint touch of smoked cod. The peat is gentle rather than aggressive, giving room for lighter notes of lemon zest and tangerine to shine through. There’s also a layer of vanilla sweetness, and, rather intriguingly, a hint of cactus in the background — something I rarely come across in whisky, and a fun surprise.
Palate
The palate opens with charred beef, vanilla sponge cake, and a burst of citrus in the form of kumquat and fresh lime juice. There’s also a sprinkle of ground black pepper and a crisp touch of green apple rounding it out.
Finish
The finish is medium in length, leaving behind notes of pepper, salted liquorice, and a faint tannic dryness reminiscent of liquorice root. Subtle, but satisfying.
Food Pairing
The Finlaggan Old Reserve pairs beautifully with grilled meats — think juicy burgers or a seared steak. It’s less suited to desserts (sorry, sweet tooths), but it shines alongside sour elements, making it a fantastic base for a Whisky Sour or other smoky cocktails.
Verdict
Strengths
The Finlaggan Old Reserve is one of the most affordable Islay single malts on the market today, which is a rare treat. It’s great to have on the shelf for smoky cocktails and works perfectly as an everyday sipper. It captures the essence of Islay smoke — just more subtle and delicate than the island’s heavy hitters. For newcomers to peated whisky, this is a great entry point.
Weaknesses
At this price point, it’s hard to complain — but die-hard peat lovers might find it a bit underwhelming. The body is light, the palate somewhat thin, and it lacks the intensity and complexity of bigger Islay names. Still, for what you pay, it’s a solid, enjoyable dram that punches above its weight.
Final Thoughts:
The Finlaggan Old Reserve proves that not every Islay has to come with a big price tag. It’s approachable, smoky, and just rough enough around the edges to keep things interesting — an ideal everyday dram for anyone looking to explore the world of peated whisky without breaking the bank.
