The single malt Scotch industry has a few staple names associated.
But every now and again comes a true hidden gem that makes us rethink how we appreciate single malt Scotch. Last week, we attended an intimate cocktail reception at The Spaniard to celebrate the official launch of Fettercairn’s 12- and 16-Year-Old single malt Scotch expressions.
Photo courtesy of Cork + Knife
This brand has somewhat been a well-kept secret for over 200 years. With their distillery in the Scottish Highlands, Fettercairn single malt Scotch prides itself on evoking a tropical flavor with its expression. At the event, Global Brand Ambassador Andrew Lennie led a guided tasting of these expressions where guests were able to experience the bright, fruity, and exotic flavor that comes from a Fettercairn single malt Scotch. And according to Lennie, this flavor palate is due to their exclusive distillation technique where Fettercairn distillers bathe the stills in mountain water during the distillation process. This process helps the distiller control the flavor while also extracting the essence of the Scottish barley being used.
The tasting started with the 12-Year-Old expression which was aged in American white oak barrels. On the nose, you get lovely notes of vanilla and fruit like pear. On the palate, it shifts to something very tropical like ripe citrus, coconut, and pineapple at the forefront and settles into a darker, more robust sweetness similar to toffee. What makes this expression stand out is how light and naturally sweet it is on the palate, making it a great Scotch to have alone, but especially in a cocktail.
Photo courtesy of Cork + Knife
Afterwards, we tried the 16-Year-Old. This expression had deep, rich flavors such as overly ripened fruit like pineapple, passionfruit, and honey in the mix. The spirit sits on your palate with enough weight where it lingers for a bit and allows you to really appreciate the complexity of this spirit. Where the 12-Year-Old shines in a cocktail format, this expression shines as a solo act.
Walking away from the tasting, it’s clear Fettercairn isn’t just arriving in the U.S. to blend into the crowded Scotch category, it’s here to give whisky drinkers something genuinely refreshing, especially during the summertime. We cannot wait to try this out in some of our more refreshing summer cocktail recipes.
