Fettercairn 12 Years Old 2008 (Hepburn’s Choice)

The Glasgow bottler Hunter Laing bottled this Fettercairn, a 12 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 46%, one of 638 bottles. Fettercairn is a light, tropical Highland malt distilled in the Howe of the Mearns since 1824. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829.

Distilled from unpeated malt in stills cooled by their copper rings, for a light, fruit driven spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, tropical character to the fore. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper pineapple and pear. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky. American oak suits the tropical make, lending vanilla and coconut over the fruit.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Pineapple, pear and a creamy vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is clean, the fruit carried on a light body. A long, fruity finish carries a tropical fruit and a soft spice. This is a fruity, tropical Highland single malt.