Fettercairn 13 Years Old 3W (3006 Whisky (3W))

A 13 year old Fettercairn from the bottler 3006 Whisky, from cask 477, bottled at 64.5%, one of 272 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt whose tropical character comes from water cooled stills. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829.

Distilled from unpeated malt in stills cooled by their copper rings, for a light, fruit driven spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the tropical fruit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the tropical, fruity spirit growing rounder. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its pineapple and citrus. Its make matures on site in dunnage warehouses, around thirty two thousand casks in all. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery.

Bottled at a cask strength 64.5%, it is rich. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. The close is light and warming, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Highland single malt of real character.