Fettercairn is one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries, founded in 1824 by Sir Alexander Ramsay on his estate near the village of Laurencekirk in the eastern Highlands. Established immediately after the landmark Excise Act of 1824, it holds the distinction of being among the very first legal distilleries in Scotland. Over the course of two centuries, Fettercairn has weathered the full spectrum of whisky history — from prohibition and mothballing to shifting market trends — yet has endured as a proud Highland institution. For much of its history, Fettercairn's spirit was used primarily as a component in blended Scotch whiskies, keeping the distillery's name largely out of the spotlight. That has changed in recent years, with a rebranding effort that has brought a compelling range of single malt expressions to the fore. The distillery is also known for a unique distillation technique that sets its whisky apart from other Highland producers, contributing to a distinctive and recognisable house style. With 200 years of heritage behind it, Fettercairn has finally stepped into the international arena, including its long-awaited entry into the US market. Under dedicated local management — including distillery manager Stewart Walker, who has served there for over 30 years — Fettercairn is widely regarded as a distillery that has well and truly hit its stride.