Fettercairn 28 Years Old

An official release of Fettercairn, a 28 year old, at 42%. Fettercairn is a light, tropical Highland malt distilled in the Howe of the Mearns since 1824. It was the second distillery licensed in Scotland after the Excise Act of 1823.

Made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, for a clean make of pineapple and citrus. 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. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Highland spirit. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. It uses unpeated malt and matures mostly in American oak ex-Bourbon casks. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its pineapple and citrus.

Bottled at 42%, it is rounded. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft tropical fruit and a vanilla sit behind the cask. It finishes long, fruity and clean. This is a tropical Highland malt from the foot of the mountains.