Fettercairn 16 Years Old (46.4%)

This official Fettercairn, a 16 year old, at 46.4%. Fettercairn, founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, is one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries. It was founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, who turned a corn mill at Nethermill into a distillery.

The spirit was distilled slow and light for the tropical Fettercairn style, for a light, fruit driven spirit. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the tropical fruit turning honeyed and a roasted coffee creeping in. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Refill oak lets the light, tropical Fettercairn character lead the way. It uses unpeated malt and matures mostly in American oak ex-Bourbon casks. It was the second distillery licensed in Scotland after the Excise Act of 1823.

Reduced to 46.4%, it is mellow. A light, tropical sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is the cooling ring malt of the Mearns.