Fettercairn 35 Years Old 1978 Ukrainian Whisky Connoisseurs Club’s Choice (UD – bottler)

From an undisclosed bottler, a 35 year old Fettercairn, distilled in 1978, bottled at 53.5%, one of 297 bottles. 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.

Distilled from unpeated malt in stills cooled by their copper rings, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the pineapple. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the fruit to a honeyed, resinous depth of sotolon, coffee and old oak. Mountain spring water and the cooling rings give the tropical Fettercairn make. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. It was the second distillery licensed in Scotland after the Excise Act of 1823. The cooling rings give a light spirit, so the cask brings depth over the years.

At a natural 53.5% it is full and fruity. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Mango, citrus and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. The finish runs long, tropical and warming. This is Fettercairn's pineapple led Highland style.