Fettercairn 23 Years Old 1997 Cask #5615 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 23 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 1997, from cask 5615, bottled at 57%, one of 242 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt whose tropical character comes from water cooled stills. It uses unpeated malt and matures mostly in American oak ex-Bourbon casks.

The spirit was run through the water cooled stills for a light, tropical make, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the fruity spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, coffee tinged fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery.

At 57%, undiluted, it is deep and tropical. A light, tropical sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. This is Fettercairn, one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries.