Simon Wittenberg takes a look at the 46 Years Old, the latest addition to the Fettercairn Distillery’s line-up of Highland single malt whiskies.
The Fettercairn Distillery, located in the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorms, has unveiled its new and exclusive 46 Years Old single malt. It has been designed to illustrate the brand’s rare maturing stock and its expertise in crafting the finest older age expressions.
Limited to only 55 bottles initially, and costing £8,500 each, the first release of the Fettercairn 46 Years Old tells a story of an expertly nurtured aged single malt.
Distilled on 8th May 1973, this was the year that saw the end of the Vietnam War, the first handheld mobile phone call and the introduction of the cash machine, amongst other significant developments.
It was also the time when the distillery became a part of the Whyte and Mackay family.
Beginning with the optimal maturation conditions, the spirit has laid in high-quality cask casks for over four decades and was initially under the watchful eye of distillery manager John Livie in 1973. Today, it is now in the care of Whyte & Mackay’s Distillery Brewer Stewart Walker.
Shaped by a lengthy marriage with American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, this remarkable single malt went on to spend four years in 40-years-old Tawny Port Pipes, which themselves are incredibly scarce. The maturation process then provided the classic tropical character, marrying perfectly with the distinctive flavours created from the unique cooling ring, which defines Fettercairn’s pure spirit.
Bottled at 42.5% ABV, and presented in a smart wooden hinged box, Fettercairn’s non-chill filtered 46 Years Old has a natural cherry wood hue and boasts a nose of over-ripe bananas, toasted bread, citrus fruit and plum, which gives rise to raisin, bitter chocolate, fig and spice. On the palate, whisky lovers will discover spiced pear, coffee, caramelised orange and liquorice, leading to black cherries and treacle with a finish of plum, demerara sugar and chocolate.
Kirsteen Beeston, Head of International Malts at Whyte and Mackay, comments that this is a genuinely scarce and exceptional single malt, as well as a celebration of the years of passion and commitment which reflect the continued approach of the Fettercairn Distillery.
She also states that having such incredible treasures in their warehouses means they need to ensure they always respect when and how they bring these incredible whiskies to single malt drinkers, and that this is something to cherish.
Fettercairn 46 Years Old – Where and How?
For more information on the Fettercairn 46 Years Old, visit www.fettercairnwhisky.com.
The new expression will be available from selected global specialist retailers in the UK, Europe and Asia at an RRP of £8,500.
Read more whisky articles in our dedicated beverages section here.
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