Fettercairn 28 Years Old 1995 Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

A 28 year old Fettercairn from the bottler Murray McDavid, distilled in 1995, bottled at 51.2%, one of 667 bottles. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from Whyte and Mackay, known for pineapple and tropical fruit. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery.

It was made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, for a light, fruit driven spirit. Maturation came in a Pedro Ximenez cask, layered over the tropical Fettercairn make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, coffee tinged fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the pineapple and citrus deepening to a mango. Its make matures on site in dunnage warehouses, around thirty two thousand casks in all. It was founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, who turned a corn mill at Nethermill into a distillery.

At 51.2%, undiluted, it is deep and tropical. Pineapple, pear and a creamy vanilla, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is clean, the fruit carried on a light body. A long, fruity finish carries a tropical fruit and a soft spice. This is a Highland single malt of real character.