Fettercairn, the Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery with more than 200 years of history, has announced its most significant expansion into the US market. The launch introduces its 12-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old expressions nationwide, targeting both newcomers to single malt and seasoned connoisseurs.
The two bottlings represent the Scottish distillery’s core range and showcase what the brand describes as its tropical house style. Both are bottled at natural colour and are non-chill filtered.
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"As Fettercairn continues to grow in the U.S., these two releases mark an important step in inviting more whisky drinkers to experience our house style," said Andrew Kullhem, President of North America for Whyte & Mackay. "They offer a clear expression of our tropical character—bringing together innovation, maturation, and craftsmanship in a way that invites discovery, whether you’re exploring single malt for the first time or deepening an existing appreciation."
Fettercairn’s distinctive flavour profile is shaped by a unique copper cooling ring distillation process. Cool water from the nearby Cairngorm Mountains is cascaded over the stills, rapidly cooling the copper and allowing only the lightest vapours to rise. The technique is credited with producing a lighter, more tropical spirit.
Distillery Manager Stewart Walker, who has spent more than three decades at Fettercairn, explained the approach. "That process gives us a beautifully light, tropical spirit to work with, and from there, it’s about shaping that character with care—preserving its freshness while building texture and complexity through maturation. It’s an imaginative approach to Highland Single Malt Scotch."
The 12-Year-Old is priced at approximately £44 ($54.99) at 46% ABV. The official tasting notes from the brand describe vanilla and pear on the nose, with nectarine, tropical fruit, roasted coffee, clove, and ginger on the palate, finishing on golden raisins and black toffee.
The 16-Year-Old retails at around £72 ($89.99) at 46.4% ABV. Official notes from the brand highlight grilled pineapple, Madagascan vanilla, and sugared almonds on the nose, followed by tropical fruit, poached pear, and honey, with vanilla, almond, and warming spice on the finish.
"What’s exciting about these two expressions is how they allow the spirit to show itself in different ways," Walker added. "It’s about revealing new dimensions of that tropical profile over time."
Both expressions have earned strong scores from industry critics. The 12-Year-Old received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and 92 from Whisky Advocate, while the 16-Year-Old scored 95 and 93 points respectively. The bottles are now available across the US through key retailers and on-premise venues.
