Fettercairn 12 Years Old (40%)

Fettercairn from the distillery, a 12 year old, at 40%. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from Whyte and Mackay, known for pineapple and tropical fruit. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in stills cooled by their copper rings, for the tropical, fruity make Fettercairn is known for. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the tropical Fettercairn make. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, the pineapple deepening to a mango. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. The cool Highland air of the Mearns gives a slow, even maturation in the dunnage warehouses. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its pineapple and citrus. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery.

At 40% it is smooth and fruity. Mango, citrus and a soft honey, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Mango, citrus and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. It finishes long, fruity and clean. This is the cooling ring malt of the Mearns.