Fettercairn 10yo, 2006-2017, Whic, Sujet I
ABV: 52.6%
Region: Highlands
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: whic (Whiskycircle)
Cask type:
American White Oak, Madeira Hogshead Finish for 8 Months (#107660/2006, 420 btl.)

 

Colour: Gold.
Nose: The nose starts off with lots of nougat, toffee and red fruit - raspberries in particular. This is accompanied by vanilla and a hint of fresh lemon, followed by slightly bitter notes of unripe peaches and a whiff of oak in the background.
Palate: Deliciously sweet and creamy, almost silky on the palate. Fruity notes of peaches and grapes emerge, nicely mixed with vanilla and honey, before a warming spiciness of oak and black pepper takes over. Lingering dark chocolate and walnut notes are leading to a warm finish.
Finish: The finish is medium-long and slightly sweet with honey and malted barley. Dry cocoa and warm oak spice on the tail.
With water: There's even more fruit coming through on the nose when a few drops of water are added. Fresh with lots of peaches, rasberries and more floral notes. Subtle sweet and silky on the palate with a pleasant mix of grapes, raspberries, vanilla and honey. Water tames the warmth while the spiciness of oak and white pepper is still present. The finish shows medium length with tender sweet malt and honey, turning into a dry end with cocoa, oak and grape peel.
Comments: An impressive and reasonable complex Highlander. The fruity notes of the madeira cask are dominating the nose. On the palate, however, the American oak overpowers the fruitiness with vanilla, pepper and warming oak spice. Not unbalanced though. A pleasant transformation from fruitiness to spiciness and dry cocoa on the finish. Very enjoyable both neat and diluted.

 

I thank Arne Wesche from whic (Whiskycircle) for the sample and the photograph!


Fettercairn 6yo, 2008-2015, Hepburn's Choice
ABV: 46%
Region: Highlands
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Langside Distillers
Cask type: Finished in a single European Oak Quarter Cask (93 btl.)

 

Colour: Pale amber.
Nose: The nose starts off with lots of fruit, gooseberry, red currant and tangerine. Sweet and slightly sour at the same time with a touch of citrus and a whiff of pineapple. With time, there's a hint of youngish marc-like flavours coming through. A very pleasant nose indeed.
Palate: Deliciously creamy, even viscid on the palate with lingering fruit, tangerine, gooseberry and a touch of bitter orange peel. This is complemented by delicate spice with oak and white pepper, leading to a warm finish.
Finish: The finish is medium-long with pleasant stewed fruit and sticky honey on the tongue, covered by lingering warm oak spice.
With water: There's even more fruit, almost a potpourri on the nose with lots of gooseberry, tangerine and mirabelle. Becomes sweeter and more fruity on the palate with less spiciness. The finish is medium-long, sweet with lingering oak and gentle marzipan on the tail.
Comments: An impressive fruit bomb. Not very complex after just 6 years (!) but the fruitiness clearly dominates here and fits quite nicely with the spiciness of the oak. The quarter cask finish has already diminished the juvenile character of the spirit leading to a savoury and delicate dram.

 

I thank the German importer Prowhisky for sample and photograph!