Well well well. Took my first sip of Finlaggan Old Reserve (and my very first taste of an Islay malt) and was blown away. There was little to no burn (added a tiny splash of filtered water) and the initial hit of the peat flavor comes to the forefront as it hits my tongue. Unlike the speysides that I am currently enamoured of, this has only 2 distinct flavour characteristics, peat and the sea. The finish is long but mellow and right at the end, a subtle hint of saltiness. (Sort of like smoking a good cigar. Might be a natural pairing) All in all, it was a very good introduction for me into the world of Islay malts and I really do not know whether I can make it back to highland malts.