Fettercairn 15 Years Old 2009 Cask #1098 (A.D. Rattray)

This Fettercairn was bottled by A.D. Rattray, a 15 year old, distilled in 2009, from cask 1098, bottled at 57.3%, one of 283 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt whose tropical character comes from water cooled stills. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

Made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak letting the fruit lead. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the fruit deepening over a soft spice. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery. American oak suits the tropical make, lending vanilla and coconut over the fruit. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the tropical fruit growing richer with time.

At 57.3%, undiluted, it is deep and tropical. Pineapple, mango and a gentle honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is clean, the fruit carried on a light body. It finishes long, fruity and clean. This is a fruity, tropical Highland single malt.