Fettercairn finishes whisky in Port casks
Highland distillery Fettercairn has released a 16-year-old single malt finished in Port casks as its fourth annual release.
The limited edition single malt was initially matured in ex-Bourbon casks for 14 years, followed by two years in ex-tawny Port pipes from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Bottled at 46.4% ABV, the whisky offers an aroma of tropical fruit, with hints of berry fruits, rich cacao and sugared almonds. Flavours of blackberries and raspberries follow on the palate with notes of plum, ginger cake, cherry and aged oak spice. During the development of the recipe, distillery manager Stewart Walker was inspired by the garden of Fettercairn, where blackberries and raspberries are found. He aimed to combine these flavours with the distillery's 'tropical fruit' house style. The new release also marks the first time the brand has focused on using Port pipes, as opposed to both Port and Sherry for previous releases. The 16-year-old will be available from September, priced at RRP £82 (US$103) for a 700ml bottle, from specialist whisky retailers in key markets including the UK, France and Germany. It will be limited to 24,000 bottles globally. A one-litre version will be available for select markets, including travel retail. Previous releases The distillery's annual maturation series was created for 'curious' whisky fans. Fettercairn, which is based at the foothills of the Cairngorm mountains, launched its first annual limited edition whisky in 2020. The inaugural single malt was a distillate of chocolate malted barley, initially matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, followed by select Sherry and Port casks. The 2021 release was matured in first-fill and refill oloroso Sherry, and first-fill Palo Cortado Sherry butts. Last year’s limited edition bottling was matured in a combination of oloroso, Pedro Ximénez Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks. The distillery also offers a collection of aged whiskies, including 40-, 46- and 50-year-old expressions, as well as its core range. The brand's ‘experimental’ releases include a 16-year-old single malt, an 18-year-old bottling matured in Scottish oak barrels, and the Warehouse Collection. Fettercairn is one of four single malt sites operated by Emperador under its Whyte & Mackay arm. The Highland distillery will celebrate its 200th birthday next year. Gregg Glass, master whisky maker at Scotch producer Whyte & Mackay, previously spoke to The Spirits Business about upcoming anniversary celebrations for Jura and Fettercairn.