Highland distillery springs into action with four malts
THE first new whiskies from the Fettercairn distillery in almost a decade are set to be released this month after the Highland malt’s owner Whyte & Mackay’s decision to relaunch the brand with four new expressions.
Alongside the new single malts, which have been aged for between 12 and 50 years, the brand’s packaging has been given a more premium look, said to reflect its “unique” production method and stock of rare and aged malts.
The result of an experiment by Fettercairn’s whisky-makers in the 1950s, the malt’s distillation is unusual in that water is poured down the outside of the stills, cooling the copper and increasing condensation internally, so that lighter vapours rise for collection resulting in what’s said to be a purer spirit.
The quartet of new releases is described as possessing a “house style of tropical fruits, soft spice and sweetness”.
Each has been matured initially in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. The releases comprise a 12 year old and 28 year old expression, which are both totally matured in the white oak barrels, whilst Fettercairn 40 year old has been finished in Apostoles sherry casks and the 50 year old, distilled in 1966, has been given a tawny port pipe finish.
Steven Pearson, Whyte & Mackay’s global marketing director, said now was the right moment to release the new range of whiskies.
“Fettercairn is a brand not only with a wealth of great aged and rare whisky, but one with a great story to tell,” he said.
“We have been sitting on our stocks for a number of years, waiting for the right time to bring this exceptional whisky to market and succeed in the competitive world of single malts.
“We are confident that the timing is right for our premiumised new range and design, and that our brand proposition presents the opportunity to answer a real consumer need which will add value to the category and drive commercial success for our distribution and retail partners.”
