Scotland’s Fettercairn Distillery recently announced the 2023 limited release of their Scottish oak-finished single malt, the Fettercairn 18 Year Old.
A statement from the whisky maker noted that this expression first launched in 2022, and the Fettercairn 18 Year Old marks a new innovation in whisky making as it’s crafted and finished in 100% locally-sourced Scottish oak barrels.
This expression is a departure from Fettercairn’s portfolio, as the distiller calls this whisky both “innovative in style and substance” and celebrating what makes the brand different. That, the distillers note, comes from their tropical house style birthed by their copper cooling ring distillation, as well as their local sourcing.
Fettercairn 18 Year Old is golden amber in color, and on the nose, features aromas of sugared almonds, baking spices and a tropical sweetness of passion fruit and guava. On the palate, it tastes of syrupy fruits, patisserie sugars, brioche and spices with hints of berry fruit. It finishes with a soft, savory spice, cacao and natural vanilla.
Fettercairn 18 Year Old starts out as a marriage of American white oak casks and a hand-crafted finish in 100% Scottish oak. It’s non-chill filtered and natural in color, and the whisky clocks in at 46.8% ABV.
Fettercairn’s master whisky maker, Gregg Glass, founded the ground-breaking Scottish oak program, which he said was born at Fettercairn Distillery, but ultimately was created to support the Scottish drinks industry for generations to come.
Glass explained that Scottish oak imparts a depth of flavor, and a bonus of the program sees the replanting of ancient forests, and an increase in the skills honed in sawmills and cooperages … a circular economy for future whisky makers.
Glass was named Global Master Distiller of the Year at the recent Icons of Whisky Awards, partly thanks to his work on the Scottish Oak Program, which was also awarded as the industry’s Innovation of the Year.
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Fettercairn 18 Year Old 2023 is now available from specialist retailers in key markets including UK, France and Germany. It has a suggested price of £200/$275.
For more information, check out www.fettercairnwhisky.com.
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