Fettercairn 16 Years Old

A 16 year old Fettercairn, a distillery bottling, at 46.4%. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland malt made on mountain water under the Grampian foothills. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky.

The spirit was made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, for a clean make of pineapple and citrus. A Port cask held it, shaping the light spirit over the years. 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. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. It has been owned by Whyte and Mackay since 1973. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the tropical fruit growing richer with time.

At 46.4% it is clean and soft. Pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is a light, tropical Highland single malt.