Fettercairn 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #DL 16272 (Old Particular)

This Fettercairn was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 12 year old, distilled in 2010, from cask DL 16272, bottled at 48.4%, one of 362 bottles. Fettercairn is a light, fruit driven Highland single malt from the village of Fettercairn. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery.

It was made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a light vanilla to the fruit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the tropical, fruity spirit growing rounder. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. American oak suits the tropical make, lending vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Refill oak lets the light, tropical Fettercairn character lead the way.

At 48.4%, undiluted, it is deep and tropical. A light, tropical sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is a Highland single malt of real character.