Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Finlaggan Old Reserve Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40%

This bottle was noticeably superior to prior ones. Honey, hyssop, brine, and smoke come together in a well balanced way. It's not a powerhouse, but I am happily bemused by how it changed for the better.

Great in cocktails and decent with a drop of water or an ice cube. You won't find less expensive Islay in The States, and as such it's a great introductory bottle for those looking to explore that isle's peaty potables.

Impossible to beat the price. Islay scotch just doesn't come to our shores for under $30 -at least not as far as my hunting goes. The slight undertone of acridity is a negative, as are the low clarity flavors of honey, iodine, chocolate malt, and hyssop, but the smoke is on point and this is a great mixer. I use this for Penicillins & Godfathers all the time.

Yup, this is clearly a youthful Islay malt. No doubt about that (just ignore the epithet “Old Reserve”, it can’t be older than eight years or so). It’s quite peaty, but there is also an almost citrus-like freshness, and the smoky flavours are intense but not overpowering, balanced by floral, heathery notes. Which distillery this is from is a closely guarded secret, and I do not feel qualified to venture an opinion, but I do ask myself why nobody is …

[Final draft after tasting and emptying a bottle between December 25th, 2015, and March 31st of 2016.] Whatever I say here refers exclusively to this batch, but since the bottle doesn't give a clue you won't know which one I am talking about. I bought this in the summer of 2015. The next or last batches may be completely different whisky. I am a bit divided about the 87 rating even though I think it's correct for a single malt, …

Very peaty scents, with orange peel and wood notes. Similar palate, an underpinning of peat with a spicy oak follow thru. Not as complicated as I'd like but decent for the price and the alcohol is in check at 40%.