Fettercairn Distillery is a Lowland single malt whisky distillery located in the town of Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire.
Founded in 1824 by Alexander Ramsay and William Hay, operating as the Howe of Mearns Distillery, it has been in continuous operation ever since.
The distillery was rebranded to Fettercairn in 1830 and was sold to Whyte & Mackay in 1971, who still own it to this day.
With it’s white walls and picturesque pagoda roofs, the Fettercairn Distillery has the quintessential appearance of how most people imagine a distillery.
Fettercairn has a long and rich history, and in the early 1900s, Fettercairn’s product was used to create the first blended Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker, and has gone on to be used in other famous blends such as Whyte & Mackay and J&B Rare.
However, Fettercairn has recently refocused on producing its own single malt whiskies.
Why is the Fettercairn Logo a Unicorn?
The Fettercairn logo is a unicorn because the mythical creature was part of the Ramsay clan crest so when Alexander Ramsay, the founder of Fettercairn Distillery, he brought the unicorn crest with him.
The unicorn is often associated with purity, strength, and magic and is also the official animal of Scotland, having been used on the Scottish royal coat of arms since the reign of King Robert III in the 14th century.
This iconic symbol of the brand represents the distillery's commitment to producing high-quality whiskies that are pure in spirit and strong in flavour.
In addition to its symbolic meaning, the unicorn is also a practical choice for the Fettercairn logo as the unicorn's distinctive horn is easily recognisable as it stands out across the distillery's suite of marketing assets, including the packaging.
What does Fettercairn Whisky Taste Like?
Fettercairn whiskies are known for having notes of tropical fruits, honey, and vanilla.
They are typically quite smooth and mellow, making them very approachable and easy to drink.
The distinctive flavour of Fettercairn whisky comes from the use of locally grown barley, the distillery's cool fermentation process, and the unique design of its stills.
Why Does Fib Whisky Use Fettercairn in their Products?
Iain Munday from Fib says: Our late founder Aedan Burt was a huge fan of Fettercairn’s spirit, and a good friend of their Whisky Specialist, Andrew Lennie.
It was for this reason, that he was very keen in purchasing several Fettercairn casks to feature in our inaugural releases.
Hence when we launched last year (2022) this ambition of Aedan’s was realised, with a single cask bottling of an 11-year-old refill bourbon Fettercairn Hogshead for our Copper & Oak Series 1, leading on of course to a Roussanne white wine finish for our Permutations Series 1, with the remainder of the liquid from the same cask.
We do still have a few of these bottles left on our website, which include Aedan’s tasting notes on the back label, and I’m very pleased to say these single casks have been very popular amongst Fettercairn fans at whisky festivals!
Conclusion
Fettercairn Distillery is a historic and well-respected distillery that produces high-quality single malt whiskies.
The distillery's use of locally grown barley, cool fermentation process, and unique still design give its whiskies a distinctive profile that is known for its tropical fruit, honey, and vanilla notes and Fib Whisky is proud to use Fettercairn whisky in its products, and we are confident that our customers will enjoy its smooth and mellow flavour.
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