FETTERCAIRN PRESENTS WAREHOUSE 2 EDITION

 FIRST EDITION OF NEW SERIES RELEASED

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Fettercairn Distillery, the Scotch whisky producer that has been going strong since 1824, has introduced its first-ever series of small batch single malts. Dubbed “The Warehouse Collection,” these new releases pay homage to the 14 locations that Fettercairn uses to mature their whisky.

Fettercairn has a traditional distillery set-up with an open-topped mash tun (producing cloudy wort), wooden washbacks and small stills. There are even soap grinders on the sides of the wash stills. These would have been used to add non-perfumed soap as a surfactant to stop the stills boiling over.

Everything points to a firm, quite heavy, nutty style. This was accentuated between 1995 and 2009, when the condensers were made of stainless steel. This added a slightly burnt, pot ale character to the new make. However, a quirky cooling ring attached to the top of the swan neck, which sprays cold water down the sides of the still, aids reflux and helps the spirit lean toward a lighter style.

Pure and clear mountain water is a key element in their whisky-making process. Located in the foothills of Scotland's Cairngorms, they don't just use crystal-clear mountain water as an ingredient in making their whisky; it also cools the copper of their stills. It pours down the outside of the stills from their unique cooling ring, creating more condensation within, ensuring only the finest vapours can rise to the top for collection. These stills, and their unique cooling rings, capture only the purest expression of the whisky's character. They veritably drench the stills in water maximising condensation. Over years, the water gives the copper a unique and beautiful green patina.

After distillation, time, wood, and warehousing work their magic. Fettercairn has 14 excellent dunnage warehouses for the aging of casks. The local story goes that the builders put a good luck charm into the warehouse walls – a full bottle of whisky, hidden somewhere within the stones. The charm appears to have worked, for the distillery holds a treasure trove of aged stocks.

The single malt is aged mostly in first-fill American oak – some new wood is also in the mix – to add a balancing sweetness, with some older expressions finished in fortified wine casks.

This new release is testament to the guardianship of the distillery team, and the passion and drive of the whisky maker in exploring, uncovering and discovering some of the most awe-inspiring spirit the distillery has available to bottle.

Just as the spirit of discovery has guided the creation of Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.001, the desire to share the specific details of this discovery process with drinkers and fans has been paramount. By inviting drinkers on this journey, this is a release where nothing is hidden and the fullest transparency is front and centre on the bottle.

FETTERCAIRN HISTORY

Fettercairn has grand pretensions. It was founded in 1825 by the local landowner Sir Alexander Ramsay, who then sold his estate, distillery and all, in 1830 to Sir John Gladstone, father of four-time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

The Gladstone family, however, was a hands-off owner (fun though it is to imagine ‘The People’s William’ getting to grips with distillation). Allowing the distillery to be run by tenants, they retained ownership until 1923. A short period (mostly in mothballs) under the control of Ross & Coulter ended when Fettercairn was sold to Associated Scottish Distilleries (ASD, the Scotch whisky arm of National Distillers of America which, at its height, owned Bruichladdich, Glenury Royal, Glen Esk, Glenlochy, Benromach and Strathdee).

When ASD ceased trading in 1954, its estate was split up and Fettercairn ended up in private hands. Its new owner, Tom Scott Sutherland, had the distillery until 1971, when it was bought by Tomintoul-Glenlivet; from there it joined Whyte & Mackay.

Although mainly a contributor to the firm’s blends, it has long been bottled as a single malt. A more concerted effort started in 2009 when a range of aged variants and a pair of no-age bottlings, Fior and Fasque (the name of the Fettercairn estate), was released. In 2018 Fettercairn was relaunched by Whyte & Mackay with a new range of single malts aged between 12 and 50 years.

In 2018, Whyte & Mackay completely reorganised its Fettercairn brand and presented a core range with age statements, which replaced the Fettercairn Fior and Fasque. Since then, they have been working single-mindedly on expanding Fettercairn as a single malt brand. The main product is the Fettercairn 12.

The Warehouse 2 Edition:

Bottled unchillfiltered at natural colour and at a higher strength of 49.7% ABV to preserve the distillery character, Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No. 001 Has been crafted using hand selected first fill American and European oak casks; filled with spirit that flowed from the Fettercairn stills in 2010 and has since been maturing in Fettercairn Warehouse 2 (it is currently considered an 11 YO bottling, though it lacks an age statement). These casks each impart their own influence on the spirit and include unseasoned casks and sherry seasoned butts from Vasyma, sherry barrels from Tevasa, ex-bourbon barrels and Port Pipes.

Fettercairn has listed the casks used on the carton of the new bottling:

• 40% port pipes
• 10% Vasyma Sherry butts
• 10% Tevasa Sherry barrels
• 5% unseasoned Vasyma barrels
• 35% ex-Bourbon barrels.

Fettercairn Warehouse 2, Batch No.001 was initially launched in the UK via The Whisky Shop on 1st March, at an RSP of £55. Wider UK distribution commenced from mid-March and into other key markets including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France during the month. The Collection’s 2nd release will continue the journey, with availability later in 2021.

Official tasting notes

Nose: Light, elegant and truly refined as enticing floral notes of fleshy honey dew melon, Doyenne du Comice pear, cape gooseberries and freshly baked brioche covered in Scottish heather honey. In the background ginger spice, creamy caramel, Madagascan vanilla pod and poached peaches.

Palate: The alluring aromas are immediately transferred onto the palate as creamy coffee latte, tangy grapefruit segments, spicy apple tart laced with cinnamon and Turkish Delight take centre stage. However with a small edition of cool still water this helps to release another layer of exuberance with warming flavours of Devonshire fudge, vanilla cake, maple syrup and fresh clementines. A compelling whisky of genuine charm.

                        

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