Preferred Finish?

Interesting topic. I suppose it leads straight to the question: does a finish have to be long to be good?

@Jean-Luc It does, and although that conversation of ours inspired this discussion, i couldnt remember the specifics, as if i had then i would have included that question in the main post! My excuse is that its been a while since then!

A good finish is everything to me. I find it the last expression to the whiskey, which makes it the more memorable.

A long, lingering, finish, especialy one that is full of peat, is one of the finest things about whisky, for me.

Interesting one. My default position on this is the longer the better, but then I've never really sat down and questioned it - I think I just took it as a given. Assuming you like the whisky and the finish of course (if it's nasty I guess we'd all prefer a short finish followed by a mouthful of something nicer!) then what is the rationale for preferring a shorter finish?

Interesting thought to ponder. As I've considered the question, I've realized I don't have a preference. Just as no two whiskies offer identical scents or tastes, no two have a cookie-cutter finish either. I like that and don't prefer short to long or vice versa. I've not ever felt badly that a whisky with a short finish didn't continue on and on, and I've never wished one with a long finish would have ended sooner. I take each whisky more on face value and enjoy what it offers.

@dougwatts A shorter finish of a whisky you like could leave you wanting more, or as much as you enjoy the taste etc, it finishes with a bang and ends the whisky nicely. Personally i feel that a whisky doesnt need to hang around or linger to be great, it can have a short burst of beauty and then disappear just as quickly!

Sometimes I prefer a light, but elegant drink, such as Basil Hayden's bourbon. This has a short finish, which I do not at all mind. I suppose that I am not all that much "finish-aware", except when there is something in the finnish not to like. In general I am probably similar to @two-bit cowboy in that I tend to experience and enjoy all that the dram has to offer ... sometimes a big event complete with an extended finish, requiring a chair and footstool, and others that you can savor while still on your feet.