Raise your hand for Wagging Finger whisky!
Wagging Finger is a small operation in the east of The Netherlands, in the beautiful old city of Deventer. The (micro) distillery started some ten years ago, and at that point I was still active as writer for the Dutch club whisky magazine De Kiln. Together with the then editor-in-chief Sjoerd de Haan of Maltfascination fame, we paid a visit to Erik Molenaar, owner of Wagging Finger. To us, Erik was already quite well-known as an independent bottler using the name Kintra.
His single cask releases were impressive, so we had full believe his endeavour to rejuvenate distilling heritage in his corner of the country would be successful. Working with all kinds distillates, it was only logical that sooner or later he would try his hand at single malt whisky. He did not shy away from doing things differently, and today we can taste a more mature release of Wagging Finger Distillery
Wagging Finger 2019, First Edition, bottled at 50,1 % abv
First things first: Matured for 5 years in a second fill hogshead. Distilled in June 2019 and bottled in March 2025, so actually bordering on 6 years old. The yield was 274 bottles and ingredients are a mix of pale ale malt and chocolate malt. I tasted a sample before from Wagging Finger, from spirit distilled one month later in 2019. That one I thought was too rough to really enjoy (73 points). This older 2019 expression has a more accessible abv.
Upon Sipping: Starts off like a very pure rye, with hints of glue. The spirit is very talkative and bright and this will please the people who enjoy to taste ingredients rather than cask management. Given time, there are fruity elements with a smoky edge on it. Then back to that dry rye character. Interesting nose, for sure! Then a sip. Ha! I am taken by surprise by a very sweet arrival on the tip of the tongue. As you move forward, the chocolate malt is very pronounced, with hints of dry smoke and fruity chocolate. The finish has a burn, but pleasing. Back to the beginning but now with a drop of water. The aroma changes significantly, bringing more of a fresh wind over barley trembling in the summer sun. The palate gets a more oily sensation now, with hints of sunflower oil and dry husk. The finish is a bit more sticky, and the hint of bitter is less to my liking. Smelling this whisky is nicer with a drop of water, drinking I recommend you do undiluted.
Word to the Wise: Erik Molenaar has no interest in trying to be Scottish with his whisky, and on that principle he delivers.
This has the look, feel and taste of a firmly European based soul, not unlike some samples I have encountered from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and other distillers in The Netherlands. Flat farmlands as far as the eye can see, and medieval towns located alongside mighty, meandering rivers. These kind of whiskies are in a class of their own, and Wagging Finger has joined the ranks.
Score: 83 points.
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