Hi all, Trader Joe's here in So. Cal. has a single malt called Finlaggan on sale. The ad says "Finlaggan Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the best-kept secret of one of Scotland's best distilleries, whose name we promised we wouldn't reveal. This is a crisp and smoky Scotch, with sweet malt and sherry flavors." Goes on to say it's an "earthy, peaty Scotch", on sale for $16.99. Anyone familiar with this brand and/or know who the secret distillery is?
"neenee" wrote in news:4Zzoc.86834$ snipped-for-privacy@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
Don't know any details, but it tastes exactly like what it is; a $17 Islay whisky. Even my unsophisticated taste can tell that it's pretty young and not very smooth. It is not terribly peaty, and you _can_ actually taste the malt, but not much. Not undrinkable by any means.
Seems that Trader Joe's previous private bottlings of Macallans, Aberlour, and Bowmore are gone. Whether to return is unknown by the store manager here in Fremont, CA.
My $0.02 worth
That's about as much as I would spent on Finlaggan. It is the only disappointing Islay whisky I ever bought. It is extremely rough, with little or no complexity. If your budget is limited, you better go for the Signatory Vintage Islay. Here it is in the same price range, but it is much more drinkable. But even so, I would probably buy one Laphroaig 10 instead of 2 of those budget bottles. In the end, it gives you more enjoyment for your bucks...
R.
I've had to work REALLY hard to find the right circumstance when my Finlaggan seemed any good whatsoever. I think I did eventually have such a moment, but I don't have time for this kind of extensive effort. If I were paid by the hour to try to enjoy Finlaggan, I figure the ACTUAL cost would be close to $231 a bottle.
HAHAHA! hilarious! ok, I definitely won't be buying this Finlaggan!!
According to Jim Murray's Whisky Bible: Fin Islay 17yr - 72/100 - "can't say I'm impressed" Fin Islay 21 yr - 75/100 - "strangely off-beam" Finlaggen Old Reserve Islay Single Malt - 94/100 - "if you don't get a bottle of this you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
So I'm guessing that the other comments in this thread were based on the 1st two expressions.
Certainly not. I had a bottle with no specific age statement. I didn't like its rough edges. But as always, tastes are so very different among individuals. Maybe the OP will buy a bottle and falls deeply in love with it.... as I did with Laphroaig :)
Raymond.
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