Fettercairn 16 Year Old 4th Release 2023 Single Malt Whisky is a vibrant Highland expression that highlights the distillery's distinctive tropical house style while adding extra depth through thoughtful cask selection. Crafted at the Fettercairn Distillery, this release is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon casks and first-fill port pipes, a pairing that enhances both brightness and richness. The distillery's unique cooling ring distillation process - where water cascades over the stills - helps create a lighter, purer spirit, allowing fruit-forward flavours to shine with clarity and precision.
This particular release leans into contrast, combining fresh tropical character with darker, more indulgent notes from the port casks. Lively fruit - pineapple, berries, and stone fruit - sits alongside layers of cacao, caramel, and gentle spice, creating a whisky that evolves steadily across the palate. There's a natural warmth and roundness to the texture, with flavours building rather than peaking early, making it a rewarding dram for those who enjoy a balance between brightness and depth. It's a confident, modern Highland single malt that showcases both innovation and identity without losing its sense of place.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Tropical fruits, berry sweetness, and cacao with hints of vanilla and floral spice.
Palate:
Juicy blackberries and raspberries layered with caramel, plum, ginger cake, and soft oak spice.
Finish:
Medium to long, with notes of salted caramel, ginger, and lingering fruit and spice.
