Fettercairn 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #4630 (Blackadder)

A 13 year old Fettercairn from the bottler Blackadder, distilled in 2008, from cask 4630, bottled at 51.2%, one of 90 bottles. Fettercairn, founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, is one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries. Its make matures on site in dunnage warehouses, around thirty two thousand casks in all.

Drawn off the stills, the cooling rings raising reflux for a fruity spirit, for the tropical, fruity make Fettercairn is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, tropical character to the fore. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the fruit, the body softer and fuller. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery. Refill oak lets the light, tropical Fettercairn character lead the way.

At a natural 51.2% it is full and fruity. 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. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. This is a fruity, tropical Highland single malt.