Fettercairn Vanguard 1st Release

The distillery dates back to 1824, but has really found its feet as a vibrant, tropical single malt in the last decade or so. As part of their Scottish Oak Programme, master whisky maker Gregg Glass collaborated with Speyside Cooperage to build 200-litre hybrid casks using medium to heavily toasted wind-felled Highland Scottish oak for the heads, and American oak staves for the body. A finishing period in these hybrid casks adds depth, texture, and spice to this whisky, which already spent 14 years in first fill bourbon barrels. We understand it was given a final lift by marrying it with a little 8-year-old Fettercairn.

The fruity flavours are already present in the new make spirit, aided by the spirit stills’ unusual copper cooling rings that run cold water down the outside of the necks of the stills! This increases reflux so a far greater proportion of the lightest vapours make it through.