Fettercairn 16 Years Old 2008 (Phil & Simon Thompson)

From the Thompson Brothers, a 16 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 2008, bottled at 52.6%, one of 300 bottles. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland single malt made at one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries, founded in 1824. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky.

It was worked through the cooling ring stills for a clean, fruity make, for a clean make of pineapple and citrus. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the tropical fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pineapple and pear) and a honeyed depth. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. Its stills carry unique cooling rings, copper tubes that drench them in cold mountain water. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its pineapple and citrus.

At a hearty 52.6% it carries real weight. Pineapple, pear and a creamy vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is Fettercairn's pineapple led Highland style.