Fettercairn 14 Years Old 1997 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 14 year old Fettercairn from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1997, bottled at 46%. Fettercairn is a Highland malt of pineapple and citrus, distilled at the foot of the mountains. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit.

Made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, for a light, fruit driven spirit. Maturation came in an Oloroso cask, layered over the tropical Fettercairn make. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper pineapple and pear. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its pineapple and citrus. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. It uses unpeated malt and matures mostly in American oak ex-Bourbon casks.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. A clean finish ends on pineapple and a soft oak. This is a Highland single malt of real character.