Fettercairn 29 years 1988 Cadenhead's Bourbon Hogshead - One of 252 - bottled 2018 Authentic Collection (Brown)

Scotland, Eastern Highlands. Distillery operational. Owner: Whyte & Mackay Ltd.

Remaining until 1927 in the fold of the Gladstone family, a member of which was an eminent Prime Minister in the 19th century, Fettercairn was successively run by a plethora of investors with varied intentions, before eventually winding up in the pocket of the Distillers Company Ltd in 1953. 20 years later, in 1973, it finally found balance when it became the property of Whyte & Mackay Ltd. Its bottlings were then known under the two names Fettercairn and Old Fettercairn, both used interchangeably in the 1970s. The classic bottlings of the era include Fettercairn 875 (8 year old, 75 cl). In the early 2000s, its oldest versions were reserved for the Stillman's Dram range, which it formed alongside the group's other distilleries, Dalmore (1960), Tomintoul (1975), Bruichladdich (1993), Tullibardine (1994), Tamnavulin (1994) and Isle of Jura (1995).

A Fettercairn single cask distilled in 1988, matured in a bourbon cask and bottled in 2018 for the Authentic Collection. Cadenhead's was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 252 bottles.