Fettercairn 10 Years Old 2009 (Small Batch)

From the Campbeltown house Cadenhead, a 10 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 2009, bottled at 57.3%, one of 516 bottles. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland malt made on mountain water under the Grampian foothills. It has been owned by Whyte and Mackay since 1973.

It was distilled slow and light for the tropical Fettercairn style, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak letting the fruit lead. 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky.

At its natural 57.3% it is concentrated. 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. It finishes long, fruity and clean. This is a tropical Highland malt from the foot of the mountains.