🥃 Fettercairn 12 Year Old
The youngest whisky in the permanent Fettercairn core range: 12 years in American white oak bourbon casks; 40% ABV; in the range since 2018.
Fettercairn 12 Year Old is the youngest whisky in the permanent core range of the Fettercairn distillery in Aberdeenshire. According to Whiskynotes, it joined the new core range the brand presented in August 2018. Its strength is 40% ABV according to the official website, the lowest of the core expressions.
The whisky is made from barley malt, and a copper cooling ring on the stills is linked by the brand to its “tropical” style. According to the official website, it matures in American white oak bourbon casks. Whisky Magazine and Drinks Intel write that in 2024, ahead of the brand's 200th anniversary, the range was updated and the 12-year-old stayed in it. The brand describes the aroma as vanilla and pear, and the taste as nectarine and tropical fruit.
Why this matters to you. Fettercairn 16 Year Old is stronger at 46.4% ABV and matured longer, so its taste is richer. To learn the distillery's style, it makes sense to start with the 12-year-old; Whisky Magazine also mentions it as a base for cocktails. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 12 years |
| Cask type | American white oak bourbon casks |
| Raw material | barley malt |
| Year founded | 2018 (new core range) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890): Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Fettercairn 12 Year Old → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🐝 American white oak, 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Fettercairn, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 The Dalmore, 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 16 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 16 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Fettercairn 12 is finished in sherry casks?
No. According to the official website, it matures in American white oak bourbon casks.
What is the strength of Fettercairn 12 Year Old?
40% ABV, according to the official website and Whisky Magazine.
When did Fettercairn 12 Year Old appear?
According to Whiskynotes, in August 2018, together with the brand's updated core range.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 The Dalmore — Distillery and single malt whisky brand in Alness (Highland), founded in 1839; the emblem is a stag; stills of different sizes; owned by Whyte & Mackay (Emperador).
- 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old — The oldest permanent Fettercairn core-range whisky since 2024: 24 years in bourbon casks, without chill filtration or colouring; 46.5% ABV.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old · 🥃 Fettercairn 16 Year Old · 🥃 Balblair 12 Year Old · 🥃 Tobermory 12 Year Old · 🥃 Deanston 18 Year Old · 🥃 Deanston Virgin Oak
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Fettercairn (official site): 12 Year Old — Core Range, American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, 40 %
- Whiskynotes: Fettercairn 12 Year Old (11.09.2018; new core range launched August 2018; 40 %; American oak bourbon casks)
- Whisky Magazine: Explore Fettercairn's refreshed single malt ranges (08.04.2024; domestic core 12 (40 %), 16 (46.4 %, formerly annual limited edition), 24 (46.5 %); all ex-bourbon)
- Drinks Intel: Whyte & Mackay unveils Fettercairn stable refresh (April 2024; three permanent expressions per range; 24 Year Old replaces the 22; all American oak ex-bourbon)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyHighland whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyFettercairn
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch Whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyFettercairn