Fettercairn 15 Years Old 2008 Cask #10133 (Douglas Thomson)

From the bottler Douglas Thomson, a 15 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 2008, from cask 10133, bottled at 50%, one of 74 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from Whyte and Mackay, known for pineapple and tropical fruit. Its water comes from springs in the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains above the distillery.

Run through the water cooled stills for a light, tropical make, for a clean make of pineapple and citrus. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak letting the fruit lead. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip over the fruit. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829. The cooling rings give a light spirit, so the cask brings depth over the years.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. Pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla, 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 tropical Highland malt from the foot of the mountains.