While it’s become custom these days for whisky drinkers to pay well over one hundred dollars for 21 year old bottles of single malt, we’re back with another classic single barrel of Highland whisky—at full proof, no less—that will become the go-to bottle of the summer. Fettercairn isn’t a household hold name in the U.S., but in Scotland it’s known for its role in Whyte & Mackay as well as a budding single brand all its own. This particular expression is pure Highland whisky in its purest and most traditional form. Sweet barley, vanilla, flowers, and mealy flavors swirl through the palate and are lifted by the higher proof on the finish. All of this classic complexity clocks in at a cool $79.99, which is why our Old Particular direct barrel program has the attention of the entire whisky drinking nation right now. Not only do our selections receive top marks from top enthusiasts, the prices we’ve been able to offer are unbeatable, meaning this deal will likely sell through as quickly as our previous barrels did.

1995 Fettercairn 21 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

Fettercairn isn’t the most well-known of Scottland’s Highland single malt distilleries, but it’s a well-established part of the Whyte & Mackay empire and is renowned by blenders for its light and malty character. Those who like their Highland malts with plenty of buttery biscuit, sweet vanilla, and a dash of orange blossom will go gaga for this 21 year old barrel strength release, especially as the aforementioned flavors are lifted and vibrant at 51.9% ABV. As has been our strategy over the last few years, we dug through numerous samples of Fettercairn and other lesser-known producers because the price of each cask is linked specifically to the name recognition of the distillery. The result is a cracking 21 year old full proof single barrel edition Fettercairn for an amazing price! Aromas of shortbread and sweet malted barley are brimming upon first nosing, followed by a creamy, bready texture on the palate that spreads out slowly and generously with plenty of richness and classic Highland vanilla. The finish is where the heather, flowers, and orange blossom come into focus with notes of ginger and baking spices. All in all, it’s another great deal from our friends at Old Particular and one overdelivers again for the price.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 25, 2017

For those who remember the old Gordon & MacPhail bottling of Glenlivet 21 (the one with the old-timey label), this Fettercairn is a dead ringer for that whisky, just at at full proof and for a much better price. I adored that malt when we had it because it was such a throwback, both the bottle and the whisky itself. It was a no-frills Highland expression with pure flavors of barley, vanilla, fruit and biscuit. The Fettercairn has all of that, but with more body and a longer finish from the higher ABV. This whisky isn’t going to change your life, but it’s going to taste damn good on a later summer’s evening when you’ve finished a long day of laying around the house. Again, our Brexit pricing continues to dominate the market. Few whiskies can match this quality at this price.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 27, 2017

Flavorful and delicate this 21 year old has a lot to offer. It has a beautiful subtle honeyed nose that leads to a round, fruity and malty mouth. It tastes good. A touch of water is needed to soften and open up this single malt.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 26, 2017

Here is another fantastic bottle to add to the “summer Scotch” collection that we are all building (I am not the only one, right?) Fettercairn is a beautifully balanced, delightfully delicate, and lingeringly long whisky full of light fruits, with vanilla, citrus, hay, and a perfect amount of spice to bring everything to a close. At 21 years this bottle has the right amount of age to soften the cask strength and keep this Scotch oh so sippable and smooth.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 26, 2017

This is a whisky aged to perfection, so that the flavors of ginger, kiwi, melon, butterscotch, hay and oak work off of each other perfectly to create a delicate, dynamic flavor profile that goes down as smooth as any 51 degree whisky that I have ever tried. This is a fresh and delicious Scotch that is priced well below many lesser bottles on the shelf.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 26, 2017

Having recently counted our Spirits inventory in the Redwood City store I found myself at home this weekend counting inventory on my own shelves. I’m definitely guilty of “collecting” an enormous number of open Scotches and other liquors, cause you never know what you might need to have on hand and we always have such great new stuff coming in. With that being said, this Fettercairn 21 is front and center in my “DRINK ME” section. It’s brimming with everything I could ask for in a lazy summer sipper. Stone fruits: check. Buttermilk biscuits: check. Malty goodness: check. Vanilla: check. Delicacy without sacrificing body: Double Check. Oh and by the way, it’s at full proof and amazingly priced. As soon as I make a new space on the shelf, I’m adding a second one of these because when it’s gone, it’s gone.