Fettercarin celebrates its 200th anniversary

The year 1824 was really something. It’s the year when Beethoven’s 9th (Choral) Symphony, often regarded as his greatest work, premiered. It was the year that “the greatest crime in literary history” occurred, as the diaries of Lord Byron were burnt by six of the poet’s friends. Mexico became a republic and the United States of America had to turn to the House of Representatives to break a presidential election deadlock between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson (Adams won). 

All of that, of course, pails into comparison with the actually important thing that happened that year: Fettercairn Distillery was founded. 

In the 200 years that have followed, whisky has flowed, generations of people have made their mark, and the symbiotic relationship between the distillery and its surrounding environment flourished. In this milestone year, we’re telling the remarkable story of the past, present, and future of Fettercairn. 

To do so, we’re joined by somebody who spends their life telling tales about Fettercairn, Kelly Anderson, the brand home manager for the distillery. In each chapter, we’ll also recommend a whisky that represents that part of the story.

The past of Fettercairn Distillery 

Founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay, Fettercairn was among the earliest distilleries to embrace the legal production of whisky, shortly after the Excise Act was introduced in 1823. Ramsay’s vision was to create a whisky that reflected the fertile land of northeast Scotland. He chose the tranquil village of Fettercairn, set against the Grampian Mountains, for the access to good barley and water, as well as a favourable microclimate for maturation. 

Initially, production was small-scale and deeply intertwined with the local community, laying the foundation for a strong bond that would last centuries​. However, the whisky landscape was turbulent, and by the mid-19th century, ownership had changed hands several times. Despite this, Fettercairn remained focused on refining its craft. The introduction of Alastair Menzies’ copper cooling ring in 1952 – a breakthrough in distillation – allowed for greater control over the whisky’s cooling process. This innovation played a significant role in defining Fettercairn’s signature tropical fruit notes, still cherished today.

In 1973, the distillery entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Whyte & Mackay. Anderson’s mum worked at the distillery for 30 years, in a similar role to the one Anderson holds now. She says her mum would often come home and tell us about her day at work, reeling off the nationality and number of visitors she’d had. “I can also remember her telling us the Whyte and Mackay were under new management and that, ‘The Man from Del Monte’ was in charge! Over the years the distillery and brand have seen many changes, but now it feels like it is being acknowledged for what it is and the quality of spirit it produces”.

Anderson recalls a happy childhood growing up in Fettercairn, a quiet little village in the northeast of Scotland, with close ties to the local farming community. She remembers playgroup and Christmas parties in the Public Hall. Walks with Granny to Fasque Lake for a picnic with brothers and her sister. When the visitor centre opened in 1989, lots of school groups came for a visit. Anderson’s mum became the person who introduced many local kids to the distillery and whisky.

“Growing up, it was a place where everyone knew everyone, I am the fourth generation of my family to come from here. The primary school only had 56 pupils when I was there, so we all knew each other; it’s a place where lifelong friendships began and remain,” Anderson says. 

The whisky: Fettercairn 40 Year Old

The whisky we’re showcasing to demonstrate the past of the Highland distillery is the outstanding Fettercairn 40 Year Old. Our latest competition means you can now win a bottle of this incredible whisky worth £3,800. This single malt is a journey through the history of the distillery in each sip. Much of the equipment that created this whisky has been replaced, so it’s a showcase of another era of Fettercairn. What it retains is the quality and personality of the distillery, seen in its signature brand of exotic fruit-laden, biscuity, aromatic spirit. 

The present of Fettercairn Distillery 

In the present day, a small team of 17 run the operation at Fettercairn Distillery, many having dedicated decades to perfecting their craft. One of those is Mr Fettercairn himself, Stewart Walker, the popular and multi-award-winning distillery manager. A part of the team for 35 years, Walker is a testament to the deep-rooted expertise and continuity within Fettercairn.

Fettercairn’s whisky has evolved from its early, rugged iterations while staying true to its Highland origins. Its distinctive tropical house style, supported by innovations like the copper ring, has set it apart from other whiskies. This tropical flavour profile – marked by notes of pineapple, passion fruit, and lychee – owes much to the cooling ring’s ability to manage distillation temperatures.

Anderson’s day-to-day is to tell the story of Fettercairn. She talks about the history of the area, about the landowner Sir Alexander Ramsay who campaigned for the Excise Act, paving the way for the whisky industry as we know it today. She tells people about ongoing projects and partnerships with an eye on the future. And she talks about production. “I like to say the names of those from the past, manager Alistair Menzies and his engineer John Twigg who innovated and created our unique copper cooling ring that helps slow down the distillation process, ensuring that only the lighter fruitier notes make their way up the neck of the still for collection”.

Today the distillery remains a part of the fabric of both the village and wider community, according to Anderson. She never had much of a plan of where she would work, but it appears fate conspired and created a path for her. When I asked her: What does Fettercairn mean to you? Her answer was simple: “Home”.

The Whisky: Fettercairn 12 Year Old

There is no better whisky to try to understand who Fettercairn is today than its flagship Fettercairn 12 Year Old. Made to be the perfect introduction to the distillery’s malty, exotic fruit-driven character, it was matured in American oak bourbon casks and bottled at 40% ABV. I have a personal affinity for this whisky and have a bottle at home myself.

The future of Fettercairn Distillery 

In 2018, Whyte & Mackay relaunched the Fettercairn single malt whisky range. Marking the first releases under the brand’s name for almost a decade, Fettecairn has since demonstrated a desire to refine this selection, with a reshuffle announced in April this year. The new core range will comprise three expressions for general release and for Travel Retail respectively, all aged in American oak bourbon barrels to exhibit the distillery’s house style and provide an easier entry to understanding for consumers. 

Fettercairn 12 Year Old remains, but the annual limited-edition releases of Fettercairn 16 Year Old are being replaced in favour of a permanent bottling presented at 46.4% ABV, while Fettercairn 22 Year Old will be upgraded to become Fettercairn 24 Year Old (bottled at 46.5% ABV). Fettercairn 18 Year Old, a single malt finished in Scottish oak barrels, will continue to be launched in limited batches on an annual basis. In global travel retail, the range comprises the following: Fettercairn 14 Year Old, Fettercairn 17 Year Old, and Fettercairn 25 Year Old. The distillery is also marking its bicentenary with the release of the 200th Anniversary Collection, a set of ultra-rare whiskies that span decades. 

Fettercairn’s future lies not just in the whisky itself, however, but also in its innovative approach. Its Scottish Oak Programme, launched in 2021, is a bold endeavour to bring whisky production full circle. Oak trees have been planted locally to be cultivated into future whisky barrels that will be not only of Scottish origin but also carry the terroir of the land where the whisky is produced. This circular economy model guarantees that the distillery’s environmental impact is minimised while adding a unique dimension to the whisky’s flavour. 

This forward-looking programme is also reflective of Fettercairn’s relationship with its local community. The 200 Club, a partnership with 200 local farmers, ensures that all of the distillery’s barley is sourced within 50 miles. The collaboration between the distillery and its surrounding landscape—both in terms of barley and oak—demonstrates a holistic approach to whisky making. In a whisky world where many distilleries are increasingly turning to mass production, Fettercairn’s story is one of deliberate, thoughtful progression.

Anderson is revelling in the bright future of Fettercairn. She says she is most looking forward to seeing the growth of the brand and the whisky getting the recognition it deserves .”It truly is a delicious dram. I feel proud to be part of the team at Fettercairn Distillery and delighted to have been here during the 200th anniversary. There were several local distilleries in the area, but we are the last one remaining in what is known as the “Howe of the Mearns”, so we must be doing something right,” Anderson says. “200 years sounds like a long time, but when I think of the timeline of a tree, from acorn to oak – it really isn’t very long.”

The Whisky: Fettercairn 16 Year Old

We wrap up by looking ahead to what’s to come for Fettercairn Scotch whisky. The whisky we are focusing on isn’t currently available, but will be next year: the new Fettercairn 16 Year Old. We are giving you the chance to register your interest in it now. And we’re sure you’ll also raise a glass to 200 years of Fettercairn with us. Slàinte Mhath!

The post Fettercarin celebrates its 200th anniversary appeared first on master of malt BLOG.