Fettercairn Distillery - The Unicorn of the Highlands

To seasoned whisky drinkers, Fettercairn is instantly recognizable by its elegant symbol, the mythical unicorn that graces its bottles and branding. 

We like to think of our imported independent Fettercairn release as something of a “unicorn bottling” as well. After all, it’s not often that independent bottlers are able to source liquid from this distillery.

The Fettercairn Distillery is an eastern highland distillery located about halfway between the coastal towns of Dundee and Aberdeen at the base of the Cairngorm Mountains. Founded in 1824, by local Alexander Ramsay, the Fettercairn Distillery turned hands shortly after its inception when in 1830, it was sold to John Gladstone, the father of four-time British prime minister, William Ewart Gladstone. 

Over the years, ownership shifted several times, and today Fettercairn sits within the Whyte & Mackay portfolio. For much of its history, the distillery’s output was destined for blends. That began to change in 2018, when Whyte & Mackay reintroduced Fettercairn as a single malt brand, releasing a range of age-stated expressions that brought new attention to its distinctive style.

What truly sets Fettercairn apart, however, is its unique still design. In the 1950s, the distillery experimented with various production techniques, ultimately landing on an unusual but effective approach: running cool mountain water down the exterior of the stills during distillation. This continuous cooling creates greater copper contact, resulting in a lighter, fruit-forward spirit with signature tropical notes.

That distinctive character is especially compelling in independent releases, and you can experience it firsthand in our 14-year-old single cask from Creetown Distillers, a rare opportunity to explore Fettercairn outside of its official range.

Available Now

We’re proud to offer a 14-year-old single cask Fettercairn, independently bottled by Creetown Distillers. Bottlings like this are few and far between, making this a rare chance to experience the distillery’s tropical, fruit-driven profile in its purest form.

👉 Shop the Fettercairn 14 Year Single Cask here