The Who said it best in 1978… Who Are You ?
Tristan
Very little is known about the origins of Finlaggan bottlings. If you had Poirot, Miss Marple and Hastings in a room even they wouldn’t be able to give you the name of the distillery where these bottles come from. Maybe if you hunt through the internet for long enough, go to enough corners of the web or even find a dark hole somewhere then you may get the name. But where is the fun in that ? All I know is that these bottles are labelled as an Islay whisky and that it’s very difficult to find one that I don’t like. So, what was the Feis Ile 2017 bottling like?
Nose
Wallop! Let’s get past the immediate smokey peat and concentrate on what else there is. There is a light wood, maybe birch, lingering in the background and then a wonderfully enticing nose of bbq vegetables just ready for the plate.
Palette
The peat continues but it is not overpowering. This palate allows for some much fun to be had. Cherries, prunes, blackberries are all fighting for attention and it is glorious.
Finish
Fruits take a key role here, reminding you that the smoke is front and centre but that they, too, are doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Overall
Tristan tasted this one and it did not disappoint. If you get a chance let this dram sit for a few minutes before you go for another taste and you’ll find it even more lip smackingly brilliant.
Key Facts
Distillery: Undisclosed
Expression: Feis Ile 2017 Portwood Finish
Area: Islay
Cask: Portwood
Age: No Age Statement
ABV: 55%
RRP: Auction only
Amdram’s Score: 8.5/10