Fettercairn is one of Scotland's oldest working distilleries, founded in 1824 at the foot of the Grampian mountains on the edge of the Cairngorms. The distillery is famous for the copper cooling rings fitted around the necks of its spirit stills, over which cold water is trickled to increase reflux and produce a lighter, fruitier new-make spirit — a technique unique to Fettercairn.
This 12 Year Old expression is matured for a minimum of twelve years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, a maturation regime chosen to let the distillery's tropical, floral character shine through without heavy wood influence.
On the nose, expect candied lemon and pineapple, a buttery iced-cake sweetness and a cooling touch of mint, opening out into vanilla, milk chocolate and orchard fruit. The palate is soft and rounded, with gentle spice, milk chocolate and sweet cream leading, joined by pineapple, oak and cinnamon with a creamy coffee note.
The finish lingers with vanilla cream, chocolate and coffee, fading into menthol freshness and crisp apple. A vibrant, fruit-forward Highland malt that makes an approachable everyday dram or an easy introduction to single malt.
