Fettercairn 4th Release 16 Years (2023)
This Highland single malt from the Fettercairn distillery matured in various cask types. These include former bourbon casks and first fill port casks. Fettercairn regularly releases new batches of the core bottling. Here we have the 4th batch / 2023.
The panel
Mean 78.0 · spread 2
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Fettercairn
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Highlands
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 16 years
- Strength
- 46.4% ABV
- Character
- floral
Tasting
Nose
The Fettercairn 16 years unfolds a true malt bomb on the nose that immediately catches the eye. The intense cereal notes are dominant and are accompanied by a clear, fresh hay flavour - without the horses that nobody likes, but with the pleasant freshness of a well-kept stable. A sweet hint of apple sauce and honey brings a pleasant fruitiness, while pineapple and custard powder provide additional exotic and creamy notes.
Palate
On the palate, the Highland whisky has a seductive fig note and a mix of exotic fruits that provide an intense sweetness. The toasted oak brings a complex, woody depth and elegantly complements the flavour experience. The balance between fruitiness and oak is remarkable and gives the whisky a balanced yet exciting flavour.
Finish
The finish of the Fettercairn 16 Years is long and round, leaving a lasting impression. The bitter oak provides an interesting twist, while ginger, banana, cocoa sultana and walnut offer a rich and complex finish. This finish is both warm and layered, rounding off the experience in an impressive way.
Verdicts
Marcel
The Fettercairn 16 Years is a true delight for whisky lovers – malty, fruity, and with a pleasant touch of warmth on the finish. Anyone looking for a whisky that’s both fun and full of character will be well served here. For me, it’s a Highland that easily deserves a spot in the home bar.
Sascha
A well-balanced single malt with a convincing structure that sits perfectly between toasted oak and fruity notes. The combination of first-fill port casks and bourbon barrels provides an elegant depth, even if the complexity doesn’t quite reach the top tier. Solid maturation and harmonious balance make it a highly recommendable Highland whisky.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Fettercairn as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £229 across 66 lots · 2024-08