Fettercairn 17 Years Old 1999 Best Casks of Scotland (Jean Boyer)

From the bottler Jean Boyer, a 17 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 1999, bottled at 46%. Fettercairn is a fruity Highland malt made on mountain water under the Grampian foothills. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit.

It was distilled from unpeated malt in stills cooled by their copper rings, for the tropical, fruity make Fettercairn is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a light vanilla to the fruit. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the fruit deepening over a soft spice. The water cooled stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. The cooling rings give a light spirit, so the cask brings depth over the years. Its water comes from springs in the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains above the distillery.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Pineapple, pear and a creamy vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. A long, fruity finish carries a tropical fruit and a soft spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.