Fettercairn 26 Years Old 1996 (Old Malt Cask)

This Fettercairn was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Hunter Laing, a 26 year old, distilled in 1996, bottled at 50%. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt whose tropical character comes from water cooled stills. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

The spirit was distilled slow and light for the tropical Fettercairn style, giving the light, pineapple led Highland spirit. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut from the lactones. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, coffee tinged fruit. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make. John Gladstone's son William became Prime Minister and reformed the taxation of whisky. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the tropical fruit growing richer with time.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. Pineapple, citrus and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. A clean finish ends on pineapple and a soft oak. This is the light, fruit driven malt of Fettercairn.