Fettercairn Whisky Opens a New Chapter in the U.S., Inviting Discovery Through Its Core Range of Tropical Single Malts

Featuring the 12- and 16-Year-Old expressions, offering curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs a new dimension of flavor through Fettercairn’s signature house style

NEW YORK, NY | Fettercairn Single Malt Scotch Whisky is one of the whisky world’s most coveted hidden gems – a Highland distillery prized for its rare, aged, and highly allocated single malts across more than two centuries of craft. Today, the internationally award-winning Highland distillery, renowned for its tropical house style and innovative distillation process, marks its most significant U.S. expansion yet with the introduction of its 12-Year-Old and 16-Year-Old Single Malts, offering a refined yet welcoming entry point into its celebrated world of flavor.

“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.”

Rooted in more than 200 years of whisky-making expertise, Fettercairn takes a progressive, flavor-led approach that begins with its distinctive new make spirit. Defined by notes of tropical fruit, nutty cereal, and a signature silky mouthfeel with subtle coconut richness, this foundational character is refined by its unique copper cooling ring distillation process. By cascading cool water from the nearby Cairngorm Mountains over the stills, the copper is rapidly cooled, allowing only the lightest vapors to rise and bringing greater precision to how flavor is developed.

The result is a whisky that is vibrant, expressive, and unmistakably Fettercairn—something Distillery Manager Stewart Walker, who has spent over three decades shaping the character of Fettercairn, describes as a balance between purity and craft. “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.”

Fettercairn 12-Year-Old | SRP $54.99; 46% ABV; natural color and non-chill filtered

An inviting introduction to the distillery’s signature style, this expression is matured in ex-bourbon American white oak barrels for at least 12 years. The nose opens with vanilla and pear, softened by gentle spice, leading to a palate of nectarine and tropical fruit deepened by notes of roasted coffee, clove, and ginger. The finish lingers on golden raisins and black toffee.

Fettercairn 16-Year-Old | SRP $89.99; 46.4% ABV; natural color and non-chill filtered

Offering greater depth and complexity, this expression is aged for at least 16 years in a combination of first-fill and refill American oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads. Aromas of grilled pineapple, Madagascan vanilla, and sugared almonds give way to a rich palate of tropical fruit, poached pear, and honey. Notes of vanilla, almond, and warming spice carry through to the finish.

“What’s exciting about these two expressions is how they allow the spirit to show itself in different ways,” added Walker. “It’s about revealing new dimensions of that tropical profile over time.”

Both expressions have been recognized by leading authorities, with the 12-Year-Old awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and 92 points by Whisky Advocate, while the 16-Year-Old received 95 points and 93 points, respectively.

The Fettercairn 12-Year and 16-Year-Old Single Malts will be available nationwide through key retailers and leading on-premise destinations.

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Press Contact: Ashley Lipyansky - Cork + Knife Communications

About Fettercairn

Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – an award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire - ‘The Garden of Scotland’. A spark of whisky-making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special. A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit. With over 200 years of expertise, we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavor-led whisky-making. We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador, Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK, the company produces Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV. Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175-year anniversary in 2019. Today, Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.