Fettercairn 15 Years Old 1997 Cask #3343 (Tasting Fellows)

A 15 year old Fettercairn from the bottler Tasting Fellows, distilled in 1997, from cask 3343, bottled at 58%, one of 272 bottles. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland single malt made at one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries, founded in 1824. Its make matures on site in dunnage warehouses, around thirty two thousand casks in all.

The spirit was drawn off the stills, the cooling rings raising reflux for a fruity spirit, for a clean make of pineapple and citrus. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the fruity spirit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the tropical fruit turning honeyed and a roasted coffee creeping in. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. The water cooled stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. It uses unpeated malt and matures mostly in American oak ex-Bourbon casks.

At its natural 58% it is concentrated. Tropical fruit, vanilla and a soft spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a soft oak give it depth. A clean finish ends on pineapple and a soft oak. This is Fettercairn's pineapple led Highland style.