Glen Fohdry Fion Frangach French Oak Cask Finish

Glen Fohdry Fion Frangach an NAS release from a Total Wine Exclusive branding. This is agreed in French oak and should impact some routines to the dram. As with others, this is non chill filtered and is bottled at 46.1% the NCF should help or retain its flavor, viscosity and character. Color - deep caramel color, Golden brown, for an NAS this is probably due to coloring added Post Barrel. The legs are thin and ring indicating the influence of water added and age potentially being on the younger side. Nose - the nose is particularly weak and requires the nose to be in/on the glass. The nose is sweet fruit, tobacco and malt, not much to be discovered here. Palate - mild smoke, honey, fruit and tobacco and a hint of spice. The front is astringent and requires priming to increase taste, the taste is fairly well separated and you can taste the menthol flavor in the finish. The bite is very unwelcoming but isn’t a deal breaker. Considering its price, it’s a nice entry to a French oak scotch, while the influence is deeply limited by timid smokiness and an light fruit and a short finish it needs repetition for appreciation. For some that may be too tall a task considering the shortcomings. I wouldn’t give a recommendation outside of a shareable campfire dram or a daily Speyside that with a splash of water could become relatively palatable, in most other cases this would be a pass. - The scotch guy

I took some time to go through this one. This is a William & Grants whisky selected by Total Wine and branded by them through Quality Spirits International company. Visually this whisky is thin and young although its color is a medium dark copper. The finish in french wine cask must have brought a darker color to it. On the nose, I first had caramel and toffee. Then i also got some apple and pear, but the sugar alcohol comes strong and not elegantly. It’s definitely young, thin, not creamy and full. On the palate it’s like a licoir type of feeling. Very thin in the mouth, not developing the flavors in the aroma. I got some of the french wine finish notes in the beginning, like caramel, raisin (very subtle) and then everything vanishes and you’re left with sugar alcohol notes. No finish at all. As soon as the alcohol evaporates, very little is left. For this price point, it’s good for beginners and for drinks. The experience is not full nor rewarding. But it’s ok as a cheap dram.

A balanced, Single Malt Whisky from Speyside, Scotland aged in ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished in French oak wine casks & being bottled at 47.1% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich life adds notes of raisins, almond, vanilla, citrus & oak; that led to a balanced death of medium length with a touch of brown sugar, cardamom & caramel.

Had never seen this label before, diving in blind. Not many legs on the glass. The nose is spicy and has some burn to it. Initial taste is sweet and peppery, semi harsh at the end. Nothing lasting, and not nearly up to par with a GL Founders Reserve for the same price. My least favorite of a 3-part tasting (Fion Frangach, Aiteal an Oir, Dublaich.)

Nose: Nail polish, apricot Taste: Sweet Aftertaste: Pepper, cigars I Cannot drink more than a dram of this stuff. If you take your time to notice the nuances, you will get tired of this Scotch very quickly. I think someone aged this stuff with a cigarette in the barrel.

No age statement and that young whisky tastes very fruity. Even with the 47.1 ABV it is still easily drinkable. No complexity to the flavor profile. I’m not sure what French oak did to this. Couldn’t find something new on here that I’ve tasted or smelled before