Fettercairn 11 Years Old 2008 (Hepburn’s Choice)

This Fettercairn was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Hunter Laing, an 11 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 46%, one of 743 bottles. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland malt made on mountain water under the Grampian foothills. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

The spirit was drawn off the stills, the cooling rings raising reflux for a fruity spirit, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. Finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building over the fruity, light spirit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the fruit, the body softer and fuller. Refill oak lets the light, tropical Fettercairn character lead the way. It has been owned by Whyte and Mackay since 1973. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make. The water cooled stills give a light spirit that ages with grace.

At 46% it is clean and soft. A light, tropical sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Mango, citrus and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. The close is light and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a light, tropical Highland single malt.