Fettercairn 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #AM 113 (Asta Morris)

A Fettercairn of a 12 year old chosen by the bottler Asta Morris, distilled in 2008, from cask AM 113, bottled at 51.5%, one of 240 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from the foot of the Cairngorms in Aberdeenshire, known for its tropical fruit style. 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, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. Finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building over the fruity, light spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper pineapple and pear. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the tropical fruit growing richer with time. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829.

At a hearty 51.5% it carries real weight. A light, tropical sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. The close is light and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Highland single malt of real character.