For 2023, Fettercairn delve into their treasure trove of stock, to offer a characterful whisky that has enjoyed maturation in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks.

Demonstrating the skill and imagination of the Fettercairn whisky makers, the 2023 edition of Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a finely balanced spirit that accentuates the beauty of the distillery’s unique tropical style.

Bottled perfectly at 46.4% ABV (non-chill filtered), Fettercairn 16 Year Old presents with a rich, golden amber, in natural colour. To smell, warm aromas of tropical fruit are layered with berry fruits, rich cacao, sugared almonds and floral top notes.

To taste, expect to enjoy seasonal blackberries and raspberries which interweave with natural vanilla and caramel notes. Soft plum is balanced with fresh baked ginger cake and cherries while aged oak spice accentuates the tropical house characteristics.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old and its rolling annual maturation series was created for curious whisky lovers who were keen to explore more from the innovative distillery and their unique, tropical house style.

Located at the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorm’s, Fettercairn not only use the crystal-clear mountain water as an ingredient, their stills are drenched in it from the outside, thanks to a distinctive and unique copper ring which adorns the top of the still. This cools the copper, allowing only the finest vapours to rise and ultimately achieves Fettercairn’s light spirit which popularly suggest notes of mango, orange, banana and pineapple.

First launched in 2020, each annual limited-edition release has enjoyed expert experimentation in creation, through a range of finishes and malts under the careful watch of award-winning Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass 1 and the talented team at Fettercairn.

The 2022 release brought together a maturation combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and ex-Bourbon casks, while the second release in 2021, enjoyed maturation with first and refill Oloroso and rare, aged first fill Palo Cortado Sherry butts. The inaugural release in 2020 was a distillate of chocolate malted barley, initially matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, before enhancement in select sherry and port casks.

Beyond experimental releases such as the Fettercairn 16 Year Old, the Warehouse Collection and the pioneering innovation of the Scottish Oak Matured Fettercairn 18 Year Old 2 , Fettercairn has yet more to explore. The distillery also offers a select collection of rare and aged whiskies, including 40, 46 and 50 year old expressions, as well as the core 12, 22 and 28 Year Old expressions.

1. Global Master Distiller of the Year. Icons of Whisky Awards

2. Product Innovation of the Year. Spirits Business