Fettercairn 32 Years Old 1988 (SMWS 94.14)

A 32 year old Fettercairn from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 1988, from cask 94.14, bottled at 52.6%, one of 209 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland malt of pineapple and citrus, distilled at the foot of the mountains. Its water comes from springs in the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains above the distillery.

The spirit was worked through the cooling ring stills for a clean, fruity make, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, tropical character to the fore. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the fruit to a honeyed, resinous depth of sotolon, coffee and old oak. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Highland spirit. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make.

At 52.6%, undiluted, it is deep and tropical. Tropical fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is the cooling ring malt of the Mearns.