Fettercairn 16 Year Old – Single Malt, 2020 Release

Last year Nicola had a fabulous press trip to the Highland Distillery, Fettercairn where she was introduced to many of the new expressions which were destined to be released later that year and also early this year. Fettercairn 16 was one of those. However, during the trip there was not much of the new chocolate malt dram about. This was rectified this week when, as promised, a bottle turned up at WhiskyBoys HQ for us to both enjoy.

So, a first for the WhiskyBoys we set up our first digital tasting using Zoom. Both of us in our respective home clicked a link and were connected visually to discuss the new Fettercain 16. Below are our thoughts and tasting notes.

Founded by Sir Alexander Ramsay a landowner and strong campaigner to get Scotch Whisky licensed.

Ramsay was one of the first to apply for a license, the Fettercairn story began.

His first still men were illegal Whisky makers and only they had the knowledge, experience and skills for his need to ensure he produced a great dram.

So this afternoon we are going to have a wee Whisky Boys panel tasting of this new expression.
There will be Nicola and I together with Jacqueline and Scott.

Let’s open this bottle and do a tasting.

This 2020 Fettercairn release was distilled using chocolate malted barley and matured in 1st Fill American bourbon casks, then they finished their maturation in select sherry and port casks.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 46.4% Alc/vol 70 cl.

Colour…Polished Stradivarius violin

Nose…Treacle scone, burnt sugar, soreen loaf, ginger spice, rich Dundee marmalade

Taste…Sherry trifle, singed orange peel, salted caramel, rich chocolate over peach ice cream, caramelised sugary pecans, add a teardrop of water and it becomes a little perfumed with cloves showing well

Finish…Short to medium finish, wood spice and ginger, candied tropical fruits lead the way

This one is outstanding, rich a deep, well rounded and for about £70.00 a bottle it is worth every penny. If you see this in a bar, get yourself a dram (make it a double). If you see it a shop or online buy a bottle, you will not be disappointed.

A great dram from Fettercairn well done to all who contributed to this Whisky.