Fettercairn 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #C22036 (Claxton’s)

A Fettercairn of a 13 year old chosen by the bottler Claxton's, distilled in 2008, from cask C22036, bottled at 54.1%, one of 229 bottles. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland malt made on mountain water under the Grampian foothills. Its stills carry unique cooling rings, copper tubes that drench them in cold mountain water.

The spirit was drawn off the stills, the cooling rings raising reflux for a fruity spirit, building the tropical Fettercairn style. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the light, tropical character to the fore. 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. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. It has been owned by Whyte and Mackay since 1973.

At its natural 54.1% it is concentrated. Mango, citrus and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. A long, fruity finish carries a tropical fruit and a soft spice. This is a tropical Highland malt from the foot of the mountains.