PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Fettercairn is one of Scotland’s most unusual distilleries. It sits in Aberdeenshire at the foot of the Grampian mountains, and its stills are fitted with a copper cooling ring that trickles water down the neck of the still while distilling, a technique unique to Fettercairn, which increases reflux and “helps to create a fruity and flavoursome spirit,” lighter and purer than the distillery’s weight would suggest. The 28 Year Old is the pinnacle of the distillery’s core range, introduced to the US in May 2025 along with its 24, 40, 46, and 50 year old siblings.
It’s aged entirely in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, which let the distillery’s tropical fruit character shine through the decades, and bottled at natural color, non-chill filtered, at a gentle 42% ABV (84 proof). Only about 500 bottles were released in the US.
The official tasting notes: “On the palate, pineapple and melon give way to treacle and banana, with hints of warm ginger and liquorice. The finish features citrus peel and black pepper, balanced by walnuts, vanilla, and spices. Notes of coffee, apricot, and a touch of sweet balsamic complete this rewarding experience.” Retailers describe a nose of “mango, pineapple, ripe banana, crème brûlée, toasted coconut, and warm ginger,” and a palate of “honeyed almonds, golden syrup, orange peel, nutmeg, roasted chestnuts, and aged oak spices.”
Reviewers have been divided in a useful way for customers. The Daily Pour’s reviewer found “more rich sweetness to the nose than the 24-year offering,” with “a long finish with notes of leather, cinnamon, oak and tannin, tobacco, and clove,” concluding, “just a gorgeous, complex whisky” (94). Drinkhacker scored it 88, noting “espresso bean and semi-sweet baking chocolate round out notes, though the mouthfeel is a touch too thin for those to stick around deep into the finish.” Whisky Advocate’s Gavin Smith scored it 87: “Quirky, and one for lovers of the slightly arcane.” That’s the right expectation: a delicate, elegant, tropical, oak-influenced whisky at low strength, and not a thick, powerful one.
It’s a trophy bottle for Highland collectors and a thoughtful gift, to be enjoyed slowly, neat, in a tulip glass. Customers who like fruit-forward, gentle, ex-bourbon-aged whiskies, such as Glenfarclas 25 and Balvenie 21, will appreciate it, and those who prefer sherried, bold styles may find it quiet.
Fettercairn 28 Year Old is produced at Fettercairn Distillery in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, using the distillery’s copper cooling ring, aged 28 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. Natural colour, non-chill filtered. Bottled at 42% ABV / 84 proof, 700ml. About 500 bottles in the US.
The Daily Pour reviewer — 94 Points:
“Nose: Gorgeous nose with more rich sweetness to it than the 24-year offering from Fettercairn. Finish: Long finish with notes of leather, cinnamon, oak and tannin, tobacco and clove. Overall: Just a gorgeous, complex whisky.”
Drinkhacker (David Thomas Tao) — 88 Points:
“Espresso bean and semi-sweet baking chocolate round out notes, though the mouth feel is a touch too thin for those to stick around deep into the finish.”
Gavin Smith, Whisky Advocate — 87 Points:
“Quirky, and one for lovers of the slightly arcane.”
Fettercairn (tasting notes):
“On the palate, pineapple and melon give way to treacle and banana, with hints of warm ginger and liquorice. The finish features citrus peel and black pepper, balanced by walnuts, vanilla, and spices. Notes of coffee, apricot, and a touch of sweet balsamic complete this rewarding experience.”
Nose
Deep shimmering gold. Pineapple, melon, mango, and ripe banana, with treacle, crème brûlée, toasted coconut, ginger, and liquorice.
Palate
Silky and delicate, with honeyed almonds, golden syrup, orange peel, walnuts, vanilla, nutmeg, and aged oak spices.
Finish
Long and graceful, with citrus peel, black pepper, coffee, apricot, a touch of sweet balsamic, and leather.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky — 28 Years |
| ABV / Proof | 42% ABV / 84 Proof |
| Age | 28 Years |
| Casks | American white oak ex-bourbon barrels |
| Distillation | Copper cooling ring |
| Filtration | Natural colour; non-chill filtered |
| Distillery | Fettercairn — Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Production | About 500 bottles in the US; US debut May 2025 |
| Critics | The Daily Pour reviewer 94 · Drinkhacker 88 · Whisky Advocate 87 |
| Style / Identity | A delicate, tropical, honeyed, oak-spiced Highland malt, gentle and elegant |
| Aromas & Flavors | Pineapple, melon, banana, treacle, ginger, walnut, vanilla, coffee, sweet balsamic |
| Bottle Size | 700ml |
Enjoy neat in a tulip glass, slowly; at 42%, water isn’t needed.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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