Fettercairn Warehouse 14

With a local beer influence

One late night spend on European Whisky Auctions made me bid on some bottles. After one winning bid on a indie bottled Aultmore, I also put a small bid on this Fettercairn. And was surprised to get notified to be the winner. Yay!

I did not really read up on this edition and was actually a bit surprised when I read the recipe for this single malt on the box.
This Batch Nᵒ001, is made with whisky from 2016, and consists of:
-81% ex-bourbon barrels
-7% refill ex-bourbon barrels
-12% local beer barrels

Now, I did not read the box when I poured my first dram and had a sip. So let me spoil a little on the next part by saying that those local beer barrels do have an effect on the profile!
But I should have checked the packaging more, because all over it information is shared. That brass lint under the text warehouse 14 on the label? it represents the percentages of the barrels. A detail that took me ages to discover.

The subtle influence of beer casks

This is Batch Nᵒ001, distilled in 2016, bottled in 2023 at 51,2% Vol. Non-chill filtered. I could not find something that fast about coloring.
On the nose I had some dried flower bed, almost with a hint of lavender. Rather grassy. Then a sweeter note pops up, reminding me of sugared peanuts. A thin hoppy note lingers in the background, but I can only mention that one knowing beer casks were involved. Before that knowledge, I found it to be a funky note, a bit herbal and a bit earthy.

On the palate the hoppy grassiness remains as a dominant factor, but followed by others. Like the winner watching the number two and number three battling for their positions. In this case it is citric sweetness versus some alcohol heat.
And the problem is, none wins. It remains a tie.
This has a direct influence on the finish. While you are still pondering on what is following the number one, the finish starts.
It has some light tannins, very light, and give the stage to a light note of dried citrus.

To be honest, the first time I tried it, I was not a big fan.
But that was because of the fact I did not really know what to expect. Since that first dram, more have followed and now I rather like it as a go to dram to have something fun.