Whisky distilling has a wealthy and vibrant heritage in Scotland, and Fettercairn Distillery has been within the combine for the reason that very early days. This yr sees it attain its 2 hundredth anniversary, and to have fun, Fettercairn Distillery has launched an ultra-rare assortment that honours not solely the whisky but in addition the talent, dedication and imaginative and prescient of these grasp blenders who helped put its signature model on the whisky map — and we’ve tasted it.
Because it was first opened in 1824 by Alexander Ramsay, Fettercairn Distillery has taken an progressive and forward-thinking method to whisky making. Ramsay was an avid supporter of the Excise Act of 1823, which regulated the manufacturing of whisky in Scotland and started shaping the business as we all know it at present.
To mark the 2 hundredth anniversary of the distillery, nestled within the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, Fettercairn has introduced collectively six very completely different and uncommon whisky expressions, starting from three to 60 years previous, and every representing a milestone for the distillery. Solely 10 units will probably be made out there worldwide.
The very uncommon 60-year-old single malt, The 1964, is the oldest expression Fettercairn has ever launched, and the three-year-old is the youngest and rarest whisky within the assortment. It’s additionally the primary single cask expression to have been matured in first-fill Scottish Oak barrels. In a nod in the direction of Fettercairn’s anniversary, the six expressions have a mixed age of 200 years.
To accommodate these prestigious collections, ten bespoke cupboards have been created by grasp craftsman John Galvin. Every has been handcrafted from Scottish Oak, which displays the pure and rural fantastic thing about Fettercairn and the Fasque Property that surrounds it, in addition to Fettercairn’s perception within the significance of Scottish Oak in its future. Alongside the oak are brass and copper touches, which pay homage to the cooling ring invented by Alistair Menzies in 1952, which supplies Fettercairn whisky a few of its distinctive tropical flavours. Every cupboard has been signed by Fettercairn’s Grasp Whisky Maker, Gregg Glass.
Distillery supervisor Stewart Walker has been part of the staff at Fettercairn for 35 years, beginning his profession within the warehouse and gaining data and expertise at each step. Walker describes being on the helm because the distillery enters its 2 hundredth yr as “a uncommon reward and a privilege.”
“The Fettercairn 2 hundredth Anniversary Assortment has been a pleasure to create alongside Gregg and my wider staff,” continued Walker. “I’ve cherished going by means of our treasure trove of casks to search out simply the precise whiskies to mark this momentous event and reliving the tales that include every particular bottle.”
The oldest expression within the assortment dates from 1964, the start yr of distillery supervisor and assortment curator Stewart Walker. Whereas file maintaining throughout that period wasn’t fairly as meticulous as it’s at present, the whisky is assumed to have been put into ex-bourbon barrels inside weeks of Walker’s start, the place it then matured for 49 years. In 2013, it was refilled right into a sherry cask earlier than being bottled for the gathering.
The 1973 expression represents Fettercairn’s continued forward-thinking, marking the yr the final dunnage warehouse was constructed on the distillery. This got here at a time when the business as an entire was contracting in measurement, however Fettercairn had different concepts.
1988 noticed the retirement of Douglas Cooper, the longest-serving supervisor up to now at Fettercairn. Douglas was a part of the staff that launched the long-lasting copper cooling ring, so the 35-year-old expression is a becoming tribute to him.
The 1995 expression has been a labour of affection for Grasp Whisky Maker Gregg Glass. To create a spirit of distinction, Glass has cared for this whisky, nurturing and assessing it every month and thoroughly deciding on completely different casks so as to add flavour and character all through the years.
The 25-year-old from 1998 fantastically showcases Fettercairn’s tropical home model and is balanced to perfection, due to the progressive use of ex-cognac casks to spotlight the flavour-led whisky-making model.
The ultimate addition to the gathering is the three-year-old from 2021. This extremely vital expression data the introduction of the Scottish Oak programme. As a part of the undertaking, 13,000 Scottish Oak saplings had been planted nearby of the distillery, which, within the subsequent 200 years or so, will probably be formed into casks to mature and flavour Fettercairn whisky for future generations.
Tasted: Fettercairn 2 hundredth Assortment
Whereas celebrating the discharge of the gathering, we had the chance to style The 1964 and The 2021 expressions.
The 1964 whisky was aged for 49 years in an ex-bourbon barrel earlier than being transferred into an ex-sherry butt in 2013 to complete maturing. This impressed mixture has given a superb darkish color to the whisky. It’s vivid and complicated, with aromas of plump crimson fruits and spices on the nostril. As soon as on the palate, the syrupy liquid has notes of ginger, which counterpoint the caramelised pineapple and mix with the sherry notes splendidly.
The 2021 whisky has been aged in a closely charred first-fill Scottish oak barrel produced from wooden sourced from the Fasque Property on which the distillery stands. Regardless of its younger age, the color imparted into the spirit from the Scottish oak is surprisingly deep. The pure flavours from the oak are equally as stunning. On the nostril, there are hints of banoffee pie, citrus and spices. On the palate, the ginger comes by means of with toasted brioche and notes of chocolate, making for a scrumptious mouthful.
The Fettercairn 2 hundredth Anniversary Assortment will probably be out there from September 2024
, costing £100,000. These 10 collectors’ objects will probably be out there in chosen markets all over the world, together with Canada, France, Singapore, Taiwan, and the UK.
Samantha gave up a background in worldwide enterprise to focus on travelling and journey. As joyful Overlanding as she is enjoyable in five-star luxurious, Sam could make a memorable expertise out of any state of affairs, and often does. Married in Las Vegas, she enjoys bourbon and avoids planning.
