Fettercairn 2011 Ch7 (Chapter 7 (Ch7))

This Fettercairn was bottled by Chapter 7, an 11 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 1409, bottled at 51.6%, one of 349 bottles. Fettercairn is a light, tropical Highland malt distilled in the Howe of the Mearns since 1824. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky.

The spirit was drawn off the stills, the cooling rings raising reflux for a fruity spirit, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the spirit, the pineapple deepening to a mango. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. Maturation on site in the Fettercairn dunnage warehouses is slow and steady. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit.

At a hearty 51.6% it carries real weight. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. This is a Highland single malt of real character.