🥃 Fettercairn 16 Year Old
Fettercairn 16 Year Old: annual releases from 2020, and since 2024 a permanent version matured in bourbon casks; 46.4% ABV.
Fettercairn 16 Year Old is the middle-aged whisky of the Fettercairn core range. According to SLTN, it appeared in June 2020, between the 12- and the 28-year-old. Whisky Magazine and Drinks Intel write that until 2024 it was released in annual limited batches, and then it became permanent. Its strength is 46.4% ABV.
The whisky is made from barley malt. The first release of 2020, according to SLTN, got two more years in sherry and port casks after the bourbon casks. The permanent version, according to the official website and Drinks Intel, matures only in American white oak bourbon casks. The brand describes the taste as pineapple, vanilla, passion fruit, mango and honey.
Why this matters to you. Compared with Fettercairn 12 Year Old, this one has higher strength and four more years of maturation. Bottles from early batches may differ in casks, so check the label. Fettercairn 24 Year Old is the oldest expression of the core range. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 46.4% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 16 years |
| Cask type | American white oak bourbon casks (2020 release: a further 2 years in sherry and port casks) |
| Raw material | barley malt |
| Year founded | 2020; permanent version since 2024 |
| 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 16 Year Old → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🐝 American white oak, 🍷 Sherry, 🍷 Port, 🥃 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 12 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 12 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old, 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Fettercairn 16 is only a limited release?
Not anymore. According to Whisky Magazine and Drinks Intel, since 2024 it has been a permanent version; before that the 16-year-old came out in annual batches.
What casks does Fettercairn 16 mature in?
The permanent version matures in American white oak bourbon casks. The first 2020 release, according to SLTN, was also finished in sherry and port casks.
What is the strength of Fettercairn 16 Year Old?
46.4% ABV, according to the official website and SLTN.
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).
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Ex-bourbon barrel — American white oak cask of 180–200 litres used for bourbon: bourbon may only be aged in new charred casks, so used ones go to Scotch, Irish whiskey and rum.
Similar
🥃 Fettercairn 12 Year Old · 🥃 Fettercairn 24 Year Old · 🥃 Glen Garioch 12 Years Old · 🥃 Dalmore 12 Year Old · 🥃 Dalmore 15 Year Old · 🥃 Dalmore 18 Year Old
⚠️ 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): 16 Year Old — Core Range, American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, 46.4 %
- SLTN: Fettercairn expands core range (12.06.2020; 16 Year Old, 46.4 %; ex-bourbon, then two years in sherry and port 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