Fragrant Drops Finglassie 7yo 2018 Cask #514

October 30, 2026

We're looking at a relatively recent release from Fragrant Drops.

Fragrant Drops Finglassie 7yo 2018 Cask #514

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 56.2%

Price: £64.95

Distilled at InchDairnie on the 29th November 2018 and bottled by Fragrant Drops on the 1st June 2026 after 7 years of maturation, this peated Finglassie single malt was fully matured in first-fill Ornellaia red wine barrique . Bottled at cask strength, the cask produced 272 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with ash, kerosene and antiseptic, alongside brioche, chlorine and pistachios. There’s a touch of pepper spice, although it’s well balanced given the strength. Going back, we’re finding pear and watermelon underneath the peatier notes.

Palate

The palate opens with Bazooka Joe bubblegum, sambuca, brioche and croissants, alongside heaps of ash and cherries. There’s also a more savoury note of barbecued sardines that makes the palate feel a touch disjointed, but somehow it works. The mouthfeel is a touch coating, while warming pepper spice joins the other flavours on the good-length finish.

Nose (with water)

Water reduces the peat and brings out sour cherries, caramel and vanilla cupcakes, alongside a touch more ethanol. The nose is overall sweeter and less smoky with a little dilution.

Palate (with water)

The palate holds up well with water, with the mouthfeel remaining good and the finish relatively unchanged, although the flavours feel a touch more muted overall. There’s more orange now too, and the combination of flavours is giving us some Ardbeg vibes.

Conclusion

This isn’t the most complex whisky, but what’s here works well. The neat profile is all about ash, citrus, nuttiness and some slightly unusual savoury notes, while the wine cask brings enough red fruit to stop things becoming too boring. Water softens the peat and makes it sweeter, but also dulls some of the character. Simple, but good.

Score: 7/10

Value

At £64.95 for a 7yo single cask bottled at cask strength, the pricing feels reasonable, particularly given the full-term wine cask maturation.

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10 - Perfection. One in a million
9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
8 - Great. Would seek this out.
7 - Good. Quality whisky.
6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
4 - Below average. Passable.
3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
2 - Defective. Significant faults.
1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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