Tag: Wemyss Malts

Wemyss Malts launch limited edition: Smoky Shores

Scottish independent whisky bottler Wemyss Malts launches Smoky Shores, a brand-new limited-edition blend.

The non-age statement expression is released as just 5,526 bottles, bottled at 46% ABV and priced at £50 available globally here: https://wemyssmalts.com/.

Smoky Shores delivers notes of snuffed smoke, salted lemons and sweet cured bacon on the nose, followed by notes of wild oats, orange peel, and malted bread toasted over embers of heathery peat on the palate.

The limited expression is packaged in an intricately foiled gift carton, inside a bespoke decanter bottle, with an illustrated label design that takes inspiration from the barley malting process.

Smoky Shores is a sister whisky to Peat Chimney, a popular choice among smoky whisky fans from the core range of Wemyss Malts. Flavour-wise, the new limited release has the characteristics of Peat Chimney, with an extra blast of punchy peated malt.

Wemyss Malts core range also includes The Hive, a Speyside blend with honey-like sweetness and flavours of citrus zest, and Spice King, a complexly sweet yet salty expression, an ideal alternative to rye or spiced rum.  

Commenting on the release of Smoky Shores, Isabella Wemyss, owner and Director of Production, said: “We’re delighted with our new Smoky Shores bottling. Our existing smoky favourite from the core range, Peat Chimney, is already a big hit among our peat fans, and Smoky Shores has an even more intense, delicious smoky flavour, a real treat for peated whisky enthusiasts.  

“Adding to the all-round flavour experience, you’ll find hand-crafted illustrations on the packaging inspired by the malting process. These really bring to life the tasting notes and flavour within the bottle, transporting you to coastal seashores.

“On 25th January, we’ll be raising a glass to our smoky whisky fans around the world – Smoky Shores is the perfect accompaniment to a Burns Night supper.”

The packaging derives inspiration from the barley malting process, where the peat is added to develop the smoky flavours found in this whisky. The name is acquired from the long, salty finish reminiscent of bonfires ablaze seashores.

FULL TASTING NOTES

NOSE

Robust peaty smoke mingles with intense aromas of crushed mint leaves that fuse with aromatic rosemary.

PALATE

A sudden and explosive mouthfeel comes to the fore with earthy white pepper and zesty lemons.

FINISH

Bitter espresso sinks into the palate before a long salty mouth-coating finish drifts away.  

Edinburgh-based Wemyss Malts release rare single cask whiskies

Wemyss Malts are launching six new extremely rare single cask whiskies. The six expressions from the Wemyss Malt whisky range are boldly named using the aromas and tastes of the whiskies to uniquely identify each bottling.

This wave of releases will be in a brand-new design, with each label colour coded to match the flavour category it falls under: Sweet, Spicy, Smoky, Rich, Light and Oily.

The team at Wemyss Malts believes that much of the malt whisky terminology can be difficult to decipher, even for a knowledgeable consumer.  The expressions from the Wemyss Malt whisky range are boldly named using the aromas and tastes of the whiskies to uniquely identify each bottling. The six new single casks follow this naming convention and have intriguing descriptive names to entice whisky drinkers.

In addition to their flavour led names each label is colour coded to match the flavour category it falls under: Sweet, Spicy, Smoky, Rich, Light and Oily.

This wave of releases will be in a new design, the updated packaging includes a bespoke decanter bottle, ornately illustrated labels and gift box.

Each cask has yielded only a few hundred bottles and the resulting unique whiskies are extremely rare.

Prices noted are approximate suggested retail per 750ml:

• Bananas and Cream: This light single cask is a grain whisky from Strathclyde distillery.  Distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2021. Priced at £88. Key tasting note: Sweet banana ice cream, meringue, lemon balm and iced buns.

• Clove Studded Oranges: From Speyside, Glenrothes distillery.  Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2021, with only 187 bottles. Available only through www.wemyssmalts.com (£200). Key tasting note: Rich, deep orange flavours laced with intense cloves, dried fruits and muscovado sugar.

• Jam on Toast: This spicy single cask is from the Highland distillery of Blair Athol. Distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2021, this single malt is a majestic 30 years old.  226 bottles. This bottling is a Cask Club members’ exclusive (£300). Key tasting note: Sweet rich fruit flavours with a slight savoury edge evokes an array of rich fruits; plum and orange jam with sultanas. Complex wood spices give a peppery and spicy depth.

• Kiwi and Chilli: From Speyside, Glenrothes Distillery. Distilled in 1996, with 282 bottles (£225). Key tasting notes: Kiwi fruits with a spicy Jalapeños kick. Sweet, glazed doughnuts, shortcake and provides a cereal rich depth. Honey rich sweetness balances the zesty exotic fruit and chilli spice.

• Sweet Disposition: From Speyside, Glen Keith Distillery. Distilled in 1996 with 492 bottles (£200). Tasting notes: Light and enticingly sweet with eucalyptus honey, pear drops Moffat toffee, lime cordial and strawberry laces. Glazed doughnuts, shortcake and provides a cereal rich depth.

• Ultimate Apple Pie: This sweet single cask is from Speyside, Glen Moray distillery. Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2021. Priced at £150. Tasting notes: Rich and stewed apple pie with allspice and sweetened short crust pastry. Zesty green grapes, candy chews and white icing. The sweetness shifts to a drier note with an effervescent, fizzy mouthfeel.

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “Winter is all about treasuring time with loved ones over the festive period, with this in mind our latest selection of single casks convey an assortment of fortifying and warming flavours.

“With this assortment of single casks from the spritely and sweet ‘Ultimate Apple Pie’ to the incredibly decadent Glenrothes aptly named “Clove Studded Oranges” and the show stopping 30 year old Blair Athol named “Jam on Toast” we truly have something to please all whisky fans.”

Four of the six bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.

Kirsty Mackinnon, Brand Manager, Wemyss Malts, commented: “We have selected one very special bottling; a 30 year old Blair Athol named “Jam on Toast” to be an exclusive release to our Wemyss Malts Cask Club members.

“Anyone interested may join the Cask Club free via our website. Whether you are a newcomer to whisky or an experienced imbiber the Wemyss Malts Cask Club also aims to delight and enlighten with regular features and competitions.”

“Jam on Toast” joins 6 new single cask bottlings that have been released online and to selected retailers in the UK, EU and Asian markets. Four Speyside single malts, one Highland single malt, one lowland single malts and one single grain whisky make up the new release. Each cask has been selected by Isabella Wemyss, Director of Production, each bottling has a descriptive name illustrating the whisky’s character and have been bottled non-chill-filtered and in their naturally colour.

They are limited to only a few hundred bottles with suggested retail prices ranging from £88 to £300.

Full detail of these single casks can be found of the Wemyss Malts website.

Capital collaboration between Wemyss Malts and The Chocolate and Pastry Bar

A new couple in (The West End of ) Town

–         Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts partners with neighbour The Chocolate and Pastry Bar

–         Exclusive coupling in time for Valentine’s Day

Edinburgh’s Wemyss Malts and the Chocolate and Pastry Bar have come together to form the perfect partnership – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Following the rebrand of the Wemyss Malts Core Range last year, the family-run business is continuing its mission to champion local, by partnering with Edinburgh’s Chocolate and Pastry Bar – debuting a range of delicious handmade Belgian Couverture Chocolate bars, inspired by the Core Range’s three uniquely flavoured whiskies – The Hive’, ‘Spice King’ and ‘Peat Chimney’.

The Wemyss Malts team has worked closely with chocolatier Chef Chiara Scipione to create the trio of chocolate, infused, and influenced by the flavour profile and tasting notes of each whisky.

Handmade with 54% cocoa Belgian dark chocolate – ‘The Hive’ is expertly blended with caramelised orange pieces, ‘Spice King’ is carefully combined with cracked black pepper and smooth caramel and ‘Peat Chimney’ is delicately made with Islay peat-smoked oats and almonds.

The Core Range and inspired Couverture Chocolate bars are available to buy from wemyssmalts.com/shop from Monday the 8th of February – and if ordered by Wednesday 10th of February, can be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day.

The Core Range is available through spirit and whisky specialists worldwide from £39.95. The trio of exclusive chocolates are on offer at £4.95 per bar or free with purchase of one of the Wemyss Malts Core Range.

Steven Shand, Whisky Blender at Wemyss Malts, said: “The past year hasn’t been easy for anyone, so we wanted to do our part to support our neighbours while exploring a new territory for the Wemyss Malts brand.

“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with such a creative business owner like Chiara whose expertise and flair has created the perfect indulgent pairings for our Core Collection.

“Whether you’re celebrating lockdown love or searching for an isolation treat, our new range of handmade Belgian Couverture Chocolates are the perfect pick me up this Valentine’s Day. Now whisky lovers can not only match the hand-crafted whisky blend to their personality, but can now also pair it with one of the delicious, flavoured chocolate bars.”

Chef Chiara Scipione, Owner of the Chocolate and Pastry Bar, said: “I’ve loved exploring the unique tasting notes of the Wemyss Malts Core Range and matching them with the flavour tones of the Belgian Chocolate.

“From the beginning of this process, I’ve been inspired by the brand’s unique take on whisky blending and their selection of flavours to suit every type of personality. It’s been fantastic exploring each of the flavour profiles to find the perfect combination of taste and textures to compliment the whisky with the chocolate.”