Fettercairn
Translation: - (proper name)
Region: (Eastern) Highlands
In good company.
Hardly any other distillery can point to such illustrious personalities in their past. The Fettercairn Distillery was founded by Sir Alexander Ramsey, Laird of Fettercairn. It was followed by Sir John Gladstone, 1st Baronet of Fasque, and later his son, Sir Thomas Gladstone, 2nd Baronet of Fasque. His younger brother William Ewart Gladstone would certainly have run the distillery successfully. But he had other things to do: he became British Prime Minister. However, he also significantly shaped the fortunes of the distillery in this capacity. With the "spirits act" of 1860 he allowed the export of whiskey in bottles and abolished the malt tax. Blessed is he who has such brothers.
A little history
The distillery was founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay. Fettercairn was then after Glenlivet the second distillery ever, which was legally licensed under the Excise Act of 1823. The later owners of the distillery included Sir Thomas Gladstone, elder brother of four-time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.
In 1887 a fire destroyed large parts of the distillery, which was extensively renovated until 1890. In 1960 they closed their own Malting Floors. In 1966, the number of stills was doubled from two to four. In 1971 Fettercairn Distillery was founded by Tomintoul-Glenlivet Distillery Company Ltd. bought in 1973 at Whyte & Mackay.
What do I actually have in the glass?
The fatcairn has a rather voluptuous body, often with a dry nuttiness and malty notes.
3 reasons to love Fettercairn
1) Because even nobles are only whiskey friends like you and me.
2) Because the Malt is a buddy despite his noble origin.
3) Because the magical location is not topped by any postcard.
The one drama for the lonely island
The refill sherry cask bottling 1997/2011 from G & M's Connoisseurs Choice series combines floral freshness with malt and chocolate.
numbers and facts
Address: Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire AB30 1YB
Founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay
Status: active
Owner: Whyte & Mackay (United Spirits)
Capacity: approx. 2,000,000 liters
2 wash stills (13,500 l)
2 spirit stills (13,500 / 11,500 l)
Water: Sources in the Cairngorms (Grampian Mountains)
Visitor Center: yes
Phone: +44 (0) 1561 340205
Website: www.fettercairndistillery.co.uk