Fettercairn 14 Years Old 2010 Cask #DL 20053 (Old Particular)

From the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 14 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 2010, from cask DL 20053, bottled at 48.4%, one of 222 bottles. Fettercairn is a light, fruit driven Highland single malt from the village of Fettercairn. It was founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, who turned a corn mill at Nethermill into a distillery.

The spirit was made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the tropical, fruity spirit growing rounder. Maturation on site in the Fettercairn dunnage warehouses is slow and steady. Its water comes from springs in the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains above the distillery. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Highland spirit.

At a natural 48.4% it is full and fruity. A bright, tropical orchard fruit, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. This is the light, fruit driven malt of Fettercairn.