Fettercairn distillery is located in Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire and comes within the Highland whisky region.

It was founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsey.

After suffering extensive fire damage the distillery was rebuilt during 1887-90, but then closed in 1926 until 1939.

Fettercairn was taken over by Associated Scottish Distilleries Ltd in 1939, a subsidiary of National Distillers of Americs.

In 1966 capacity was increased by doubling the number of stills from two to four then in 1971 it was acquired by The Tomintoul-Glenlivet Distillery Co. Ltd who in turn were sold to Scottish & Universal Investment Trust in 1973.

1973 Also saw this company buy Whyte & Mackay, so both Tomintoul & Fettercairn became part of Whyte & Mackay in that year.

Fettercairn is still owned by Whyte & Mackay, although they are now owned by United Spirits, part of Vijay Mallya's empire.

General whisky characteristics: Light, meadows and farmyard

More great distillery info here, thanks to Malt Madness

My thanks to Alan Jamieson for permission to use the distillery photos

Fettercairn, 12y, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Spiegelau

Colour: Light brass

Nose: There's a lot of English countryside in this with crop fields and wild meadows. Also malt. faint leather, straw and barns.

Palate: Gently smooth. spreading slowly across the palate with those faint meadows before it sparks into a slightly spicy life with faint liquorice and then fades slowly away.

Finish: Medium

Overall impression: Pleasant, but not earth-shattering. This would make a good early evening dram or perhaps an accompaniment to a slightly spicy starter in one of my gourmet evenings.

Cadenhead, Fettercairn, 12y, 80 Proof

Distilled April 1965, bottled Sept. 1977

Original cost of this bottle; Unknown

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich yellow gold / Light Oak

Nose: Very aromatic and perhaps even lightly perfumed with a suggestion of hay in the background, although it's very floral hay, perhaps from a wild flower meadow?

Palate: It just spreads across the palate with flavours of floral hay then a suggestion of lightly perfumed brandy snap, if that's possible?

Finish: Extremely long with oodles of that floral-ness.

Overall impression: Delightful aromas and flavours but if I have one small criticism it's that the palate is just a little thin or watery, due to the abv. It's still a delightful dram though!

Cadenhead, Fettercairn, 29y, 54.9% ABV

Distilled April 1965, bottled Sept. 1977

Original cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Yellow gold

Nose: Aromatic and almost perfumed with hints of hay and (plain) biscuit. The suggestion of perfume soon fades to leave the hints of hay and biscuit.

Palate: An initial burst of vanilla and (plain - Rich Tea) biscuit spreads across the palate with a mildly peppery tingle. A faint suggestion of summer berries leads into the finish.

Finish: Long and tingly with a mildly floral biscuit-ness.

Overall impression: Another very good whisky with flavours and aromas I love.

Signatory, Fettercairn, 14y, 1996-2011, 46% ABV

Hogshead No.4241 for La Maison Du Whisky

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Yellow (9ct) gold

Nose: Initially grasses and hay, then interspersed with leafy malt. Very outdoor style, in fact quiet autumnal with the leafiness. Finally after a few minutes some suggestions of creamy vanilla appear.

Palate: Much more creamy vanilla here than the nose offered. This is partnered with a light black pepperiness and various fruity elements.

Finish: Long, fruity, creamy

Overall impression: A surprisingly good whisky, definitely recommendable.