Fettercairn distillery

Introduction to Fettercairn

A Distillery with a Passion for Craftsmanship

Fettercairn is a historic Highland Scottish distillery nestled at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains in Aberdeenshire. The distillery crafts distinctive single malt whiskies that capture the essence of its unique location and heritage. With over two centuries of whisky-making tradition, Fettercairn combines time-honored methods with innovative approaches to create spirits of exceptional character and depth.

Why We Have a Soft Spot for Fettercairn

At Vault of Spirits, we’re drawn to Fettercairn’s commitment to creating truly distinctive Highland malts. What sets this distillery apart is its unique copper cooling ring system that drenches the stills with water during distillation, creating a pure, tropical fruit-forward spirit unlike any other in Scotland. The result is a whisky with a remarkable signature character that stands confidently among Scotland’s finest.

The History of Fettercairn

Origins and Development

Fettercairn Distillery was established in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, making it one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. Located in the village of Fettercairn in Kincardineshire, the distillery was founded during a pivotal time following the 1823 Excise Act that legalized whisky production. Throughout its long history, the distillery has weathered changing ownership and the challenges of two World Wars, yet has maintained its commitment to quality whisky production.

The distillery changed hands several times throughout the 19th and 20th centuries before becoming part of Whyte & Mackay in 1973, which continues to own it today. After years of flying under the radar, Fettercairn was relaunched in 2018 with a new core range that has brought renewed attention to this historic producer.

The People Behind It

Today, Fettercairn operates under the guidance of Master Distiller Gregg Glass and a dedicated team who honor the distillery’s legacy while pushing boundaries. The passionate craftspeople behind Fettercairn share a deep respect for tradition while embracing innovative techniques to enhance their whisky’s distinctive character. Every bottling represents generations of Highland whisky expertise and a commitment to excellence.

Craftsmanship and Production

From Raw Material to Finished Product

Fettercairn’s production begins with carefully selected Scottish barley, which is mashed in traditional mashtuns before undergoing fermentation in wooden washbacks. What truly distinguishes Fettercairn is its unique distillation process. The distillery features copper pot stills with an innovative cooling ring system that continuously cascades crystal-clear mountain water down the necks of the stills during distillation.

This unique cooling process creates greater copper contact with the spirit vapor, removing sulfurous compounds and resulting in a remarkably clean, fruity new make spirit. This ingenious system, installed in the 1950s, is unique in the whisky world and gives Fettercairn its distinctive tropical fruit character.

Maturation and Aging

Fettercairn’s spirit matures in a variety of hand-selected oak casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and port pipes. The distillery’s dunnage warehouses provide the ideal conditions for slow, consistent aging, allowing the whisky to develop rich complexity over time. Fettercairn is known for its extended maturation, with many expressions in their range featuring impressive age statements from 12 to 50 years.

In recent years, Fettercairn has also pioneered innovative cask finishes, experimenting with specially commissioned casks that bring unique flavor dimensions to their already distinctive spirit. These careful maturation choices enhance the distillery’s natural tropical fruit and chocolate notes while adding layers of complexity.

Selected Products from Fettercairn

Fettercairn 12 Year Old – An Introduction to the Distillery’s Style

The Fettercairn 12 Year Old serves as the perfect gateway into the distillery’s character. Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, this expression delivers the signature tropical fruit notes that define Fettercairn, with vanilla, pear, and ginger spice. The palate offers a delightful combination of coconut, citrus peel, and toffee with a refreshing mouthfeel – emblematic of the distillery’s unique distillation process.

Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Collection – An Experience for Connoisseurs

For those seeking to explore Fettercairn’s capabilities further, the Warehouse 2 Collection offers exceptional single cask bottlings drawn from the distillery’s oldest warehouse. These limited releases often feature unique cask finishes and higher ABVs, showcasing Fettercairn at its most expressive. Expect rich layers of tropical fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, and exotic spices – a true deep dive into what makes this Highland distillery special.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and Tastings

Fettercairn Distillery welcomes visitors to experience firsthand its unique production methods and stunning Highland location. Tours typically include an up-close look at the distinctive copper cooling rings in action – the only such system in Scotland. The visitor experience concludes with tastings of several expressions, allowing guests to appreciate the full range of Fettercairn’s distinctive flavor profile. The distillery’s picturesque setting, with the Cairngorm mountains as a backdrop, makes it a worthwhile destination for any whisky enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fettercairn?

Fettercairn is a historic Highland single malt whisky distillery established in 1824, making it one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. It produces whiskies renowned for their distinctive tropical fruit character and rich complexity, created through unique distillation methods and careful maturation.

Where is Fettercairn Located?

The distillery is located in the village of Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, nestled at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains. This Highland location influences both the character of the whisky and the pure mountain water used in production, which plays a crucial role in the distillery’s unique cooling process.

What Distinguishes Fettercairn?

Fettercairn stands apart for its innovative copper cooling ring system that drenches the stills with cold water during distillation. This unique process, found nowhere else in Scotland, creates greater copper contact with the spirit vapors, resulting in a distinctively clean, tropical fruit-forward whisky with notes of pineapple, mango, and banana complemented by chocolate and coffee undertones.

Where Can I Buy Whisky from Fettercairn?

You can find selected bottles from Fettercairn at Vault of Spirits. We carefully select the finest expressions from this historic distillery, including both their core range and special limited editions. Whether you’re new to Fettercairn or a long-time admirer, we offer expressions that showcase the best of this distinctive Highland malt.