Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Fettercairn.
Bottler: Signatory Vintage.
Region: Scotland/Highland Single Malt.
ABV: 59.2%.
Age: 30 Years. Distilled on 7 December 1988. Bottled on 29 May 2019.
Cask type: Oak.
Nose: Grassy and citrusy with orange rinds, grass shoots, and springtime green vibes; earthier elements were slow to join, but fallen logs, moss, and mushrooms gradually appeared; the aroma resolved toward loam and orchard fruits.
Palate: Medium-bodied with orchard fruits and crushed apples giving a sweet pop, mineral and graphite appeared on the mid-palate with more pepper lingering at the end; freshly mowed grass, more earth over time; funkier elements were shy, but gathered around piles of mowed grass and woody decomposition.
Finish: Medium to long with sweet orchard fruits tailing off to earthy minerals.
Mental Image: Out of Season Apple Picking.
Conclusion: Gentle and conventional, this was not the big funky Fettercairn I expected. Yes, some unusual and interesting earthy, mineral, and grassy notes appeared toward the end, but the flavors were otherwise straightforward with orchard fruits and bright grassy sugars. I prefer my Fettercairn with a bit more old-fashioned herbal and fermented grass or fruit qualities, but this was friendly enough with well-balanced flavors and an excellent alcohol integration considering the fairly high abv.
Final Score: 83.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 