Fettercairn 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #DL 11084 (Old Particular)

This Fettercairn was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 20 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask DL 11084, bottled at 51.5%, one of 281 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from the foot of the Cairngorms in Aberdeenshire, known for its tropical fruit style. It has been owned by Whyte and Mackay since 1973.

The spirit was distilled slow and light for the tropical Fettercairn style, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending vanilla and a little coconut. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the tropical fruit turning honeyed and a roasted coffee creeping in. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the tropical fruit growing richer with time. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit.

At its natural 51.5% it is concentrated. Tropical fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is fruity and tropical, the light spirit shining through. The finish is long, fruity and gently spiced. This is a tropical Highland malt from the foot of the mountains.