Whisky Discovery #1565

Wemyss Malts 'Fallen Apples' 1989 Glen Garioch (46% abv)

Highland Single Malt

Circa £110.00 70cl

Independent bottler, Wemyss Malts, announced their first Single Cask release of 2016 towards the end of January with six casks selected to showcase the best of Speyside, Islay and The Highlands and, ranging in age from 13 to 25 years old.

The full list from this tranche of single casks released:

• "Sizzling Charcoal" 1997 single cask from Bunnahabhain Distillery, Islay,
• "Coastal Confection" 1996 single cask from Bowmore Distillery, Islay, Cask Strength
• "The Highland Mariner 1997 single cask from Clynelish Distillery, Highlands
• "Fallen Apples" 1989 singe cask from Glen Garioch Distillery, Highlands
• "Barrista’s Dram" 2002 single cask from Craigellachie Distillery, Speyside
• "Toasted Anise" 1996 single cask from Glenrothes Distillery, Speyside

Each cask has been selected and named by the Wemyss tasting panel, under the watchful eye of industry aficionado Charlie Maclean, and Dave was one of the few who received a review sample of the Glen Garioch 'Fallen Apples'

There are only a few hundred bottles from each cask and the suggested retail prices range from £55 to £110. These bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.

So What Did I Think?

When I saw the press release, two of the six single casks interested me a little more than the others; the 1997 Clynelish and this 1989 Glen Garioch and cheekily asked if there was a sample available to review.

In 1989 Glen Garioch still had their own floor maltings, hence my immediate interest when I saw this list. When the floor maltings were in operation, the malt was peated, albeit to a very low level, at circa 8-10 ppm.The practice discontinued when the distillery was mothballed in 1995, and like most distilleries these days, all the malt is brought in from independent maltsters. 

'Fallen Apples' bottled at 46% abv at the end of last year was distilled in 1989 and just 266 bottles are out there so when it's gone, it's gone!

As with so many of their single cask releases, the Wemyss Malts team are bang on the money with naming this one as an Autumn apple harvest was my first impression when bringing the glass up to my nose. With a drop of water, it's baked apples covered in glazed brown sugar, while a herbal heather note brings up the background. There's also an elusive hint of smoke, not an earthy peat-like smoke, but more like the smoke from a blacksmith's forge (anthracite) and some charred wood.

Apples dominate the palate flavours too, with stewed apples initially, which is followed by apple wood notes, freshly cut at first, seasoned and polished later. The gentle wood smoke comes through right at the end of the spicy finish.

Verdict: I really enjoyed this traditional Highland malt, it's a little over my £100 budget but for a little piece of history, this gently peated 25 Year Old Single Cask Glen Garioch is good buy. Many thanks to Wemyss Malts for the sample (any chance of a sample of the Clynelish too?)

Slàinte! Dave

Wemyss Malts Single Cask Releases July 2014

Edinburgh based boutique Spirits Company Wemyss Malts announced the release of their latest parcel of single cask Scotch whiskies at the end of July. The range included a single grain single cask whisky for the first time as well as the most valuable whisky Wemyss has ever released, a 31 years old single cask from Bowmore distillery.

Each cask is a celebration of the unique and contrasting appeals of the different Scotch whisky regions and the latest release covers grain whisky and four of the regions: from Islay, Highlands, Speyside and Campbeltown.  Wemyss whiskies are each named after their natural taste and aroma and the full cask list of this release comprises:

• "Lemon Cheesecake" -  1988 single cask from Invergordon, Single Grain
• "Loch Indaal Catch" - 1982 single cask from Bowmore, Islay
• "Oysters with Lemon Pearls" - 1991 single cask from Bunnahabhain, Islay
• "Aromatic Orange Tobacco" - 1988 single cask from Glenrothes, Speyside
• "Melon Vine" - 1994 single cask from Aberfeldy, Highlands
• "At Anchor in a Cove" - 1991 single cask from Glen Scotia, Campbeltown

Each cask has been selected and named by the Wemyss tasting panel, under the watchful eye of industry aficionado Charlie Maclean.   There are only a few hundred bottles from each cask and the suggested retail prices range from £80 to £700.

Whisky Discovery were delighted to receive samples of three these releases and here is what Dave though of these new Whisky Discoveries:

Whisky Discovery #949

Wemyss Malts 1988 Invergordon 'Lemon Cheesecake' 46% abv

Single Cask Grain Whisky

circa £82.00 70cl

This is the first single grain whisky that Wemyss have ever released, so it was a real honour to be sent a sample of this 25/26 year old to review. Distilled at the Invergordon Distillery and laid to rest in a barrel until bottling this year. Just 220 bottles at 46% abv have been released.

So What Did I Think?

The nose exudes lovely soft coconut ice notes; a freshly opened pack of McVities Digestive biscuits (other digestive biscuits are available); honey and a woody note that reminds me of sawn coconut wood. There is a faint Bourbonesque note too (made up word relating to American Whiskey and not the biscuits). This is indeed very fragrant and although I've never had a cheesecake under my nose long enough to nose it (read 'gannet') I did note cake mix and custard creams though.

Sweet and spicy is the overall profile of the palate. A creamy mouth coating Bourbon sweetness with some coconut notes open as the spices build with a touch of cardamom alongside cloves and some gentle chilli heat while the fragrant coconut wood notes comes through towards the end, before finishing with a spicy tingle that leaves cloves and cardamom while dessicated coconut lingers to the very end.

I really loved this! At the time of tasting I tweeted that Wemyss Malts should take a bow. Their first ever single grain release is superb, please send me more!

Whisky Discovery #951

Wemyss Malts 1988 Glenrothes 'Aromatic Orange Tobacco' 46% abv

Speyside Single Cask Malt

circa £120.00 70cl

A 25/26 year old Sherry butt matured Glenrothes from 1988, and being a sherry butt the yield was a very healthy 730 bottles at 46% abv, enough for us all! (well 730 of us). So what were you doing in 1988? There's something about an age statement or a vintage that can take you straight back to that period in your life. Fortunately I can still remember although there are quite a few holes due to my mis-spent youth.

So What Did I Think?

My first impressions upon nosing this was Jamaican Ginger cake, lovely rich sticky cakey notes. Later orange oil notes develop followed by some tobacco! Wemyss most definitely have got the name of this release bang on the nail!

Initially this tastes soft and sweet before some tobacco notes develop. The sherry influence then shows its hand with Amontillado flavours before the spices lift the palate with a sherbet tingle, finishing with the sherry/tannin dryness which reminds me of grapefruit pith.

The following morning the empty glass yields rich dark chocolate notes, I really liked this Glenrothes.

Whisky Discovery #955

Wemyss Malts 1982  Bowmore 'Loch Indaal Catch' 46% abv

Islay Single Cask Malt

circa £740.00 70cl

Definitely considered as the star attractuion of this release, and heralded as their most valuable release to date, this 31 Year Old Bowmore  was distilled back in the day when I was half way through my shipbuilding apprenticeship! I was working on Steel hulled, aluminium superstructure fast patrol craft for Egypt and Oman. My hair was down to my waist, I rode fast and loud motorbikes and was a roadie for a local rock band! A teenage rebel without a clue!

So What Did I Think?

Wow this was very fragrant! Floral with a candy sweetness, Parma Violets of course, and talcum powder. Later the maritime notes start to develop, remember its been sleeping for at least 31 years, with a salty sea breeze and some tarred driftwood.

The Parma Violets dominate the palate for me, again very floral and fragrant while drinking. A candy sweetness with a gentle sherbet fizz. For a 30 plus year old whisky it is surprisingly light and fresh on the palate. There is a sandy beach note under the perfume.

The perfumed fragrance remains right through to the very end, perhaps a little too perfumed for me. 'Nice perfume but must you marinate in it?' would be the name of this release if I was allowed to label it! I'm sure this will appeal to more than the 165 bottles available, both my wife and youngest daughter thought it smelt delightful!

The empty glass the following morning loses the heady perfume and gives earthy malty notes which I preferred.

I was very pleased with the three samples received and although the Bowmore is not to my taste (or my budget) I'm sure there are plenty who will love it as experienced at other tastings when this flavour profile come up! The single grain is outstanding in my opinion, I absolutely loved it and it certainly is within my budget. I loved the Glenrothes too, but a little to expensive for me, I still struggle with spending over £100 on a bottle of whisky, but that's down to my disposable income, and to maintain peace and harmony within the household! The other three releases sound equally interesting and would love to taste each of them!

Slàinte!Dave

Wemyss Malts Tweet Tasting 2

After the great success of the first WemyssTT last November we were really pleased to get invited to join the second event that coincided with their launch of six new single cask releases. 

When the samples arrived, two of the whiskies received came from their core blended malts range, both 12 Year Old, and two were from the new single cask release. Realising that I already had a set of these four drams that had been sent to me previously I decided to send a set across to Canadian Whisky blogger @whiskylassie so Johanne could make a surprise guest appearance.

The line up for the evenings Tweet Tasting

I'm sure you know how Tweet Tastings work by now, you can find links to all of the Tweet Tastings we have taken part in on our Tweet Tasting page here:

Whisky Discovery #460

Wemyss Malts Spice King 12 Year Old (40% abv)
Blended Malt Whisky
Circa £35.00 70cl

A blended malt made with sixteen different single malt whiskies, all at least 12 years old, and mainly from the Highlands. Wemyss meticulously hand selects each individual cask, under the expert eye of Charles MacLean who chairs their Nosing Panel

So What Did We think?

Dave said: This certainly kicks off with a strong malty note then followed by the expected spices; Pepper, Ginger, and a touch of Cinnamon too. Creamy vanilla notes start to appear as the ginger builds. I seemed to be finding a light peat reek too (which I really enjoyed) after leaving the glass covered for a while. This disappears quickly when uncovered. Fruity notes start to evolve later. A very interesting nose and much smokier than I was expecting.

On the palate it's soft and malty initially, spices start to build over the wispy smoke, pepper and ginger and as the spices fade a bitter chocolate note appeared that stayed to the finish along with a touch of licorice. and the gentle peat smoke remains right to the very end 

Kat said: Really delicious aromas of sandalwood, cinnamon, nutmeg and all different types of whole peppers! Creamier vanilla notes followed along with some fruit and nuts; almond & apricot flan and some orange notes, not fresh, more of cooked stewed oranges with a light sugar syrup or a touch of honey. After a little while I could pick up some fennel.

On the palate bitter dark chocolate notes & stewed organise on the first taste. A little bit of a dry mouth feel, and then a bit like the taste of really flat Coke, or flat dandelion & burdock, weird but nice, sort of medicinal. It is however, so smooth. It went on to develope some floral notes; jasmine/orange blossoms and some light smoke/peat. More spices on the finish, reminding me of black cardamoms! 

So what did the others think? 

@KirstyPryde1: Nose: fresh strong notes of pepper, cumin and cardamom moving on to green apples and vanilla and earthy undertones 

@mattveira: Nose: Pepper, cinnamon, quite malty but nice sweet fruitiness (especially orange and coconut). Spicy woodiness 

@chrismiles303: Hits with prickly smoke from burning paper, and new leather initially 

@whiskyrepublic: On the nose - honey, oak, a slight & pleasant acetone sweetness with hints of ginger. 

@AliceLascelles: more mature spice gets unexpectedly more youthful and apply, even fresh

@Whiskylassie: On the palate, quite creamy. Very sweet, tangy vanilla custard. Quite tasty. A bit of burn/dryness on the finish. 

@TheWhiskyWire: A feisty frolicking infusion of ripe stoned fruits, winter spice and a touch of Brasso 

@KirstyChant: I initially got pears and nutmeg. Going back I'm getting sweeter honey and orange with pepper.

Whisky Discovery #461

The Glenrothes 'Ginger Spice' 1988 (46% abv)

Single Cask Malt Whisky
Circa £115.00 70cl
Established by the burn of Rothes in Speyside in 1879, The Glenrothes Distillery has been producing its characteristic Speyside single Malt for over 130 years. This Wemyss bottling comes from a single Sherry Butt yielding 660 bottles at 46% abv

So What Did We think?

Dave said: This had a more fresh ginger note to the nose as opposed to the ginger nuts of Spice King. There's an orange juice note trying to eek it's way out out along with some sawn hardwood, stewed apples and cloves. Again the palate is soft initially, spice building but more ginger powder this time whereas the nose was fresh. There was also an air of Brandy Snaps here

Kat said: Initially I was getting ethanol & sweet wet rotting compost heap (in a good way!) Under-ripe melons. There was more earthy tones of hot mulch and ginger powder, flan crust on its own without any filling. On the palate this came across asa  less sweet Irn Brew. Fruit with grapefruit and cantaloupe melon and developed into mulled apple juice like but cold and refreshing.

So what did the others think?

@SajyBaby: Nose floral with a little chalk dust and a orange ginger tickle then opens up 2 crushed buttercups in the rain

@LRWhisky: Getting a real damp earthiness to this - sort of like damp grass in a thunderstorm

@whiskyrepublic: Trying to narrow down the fruit notes. A mango & pineapple fusion - a mangapple or pineango if you will

@TheWhiskyWire: Picking up some initial grass, ginger & woodspice infused honey on the palate.

@AliceLascelles: Apple juice, apple turnover, warm pastry and clove/ginger - a whole lotta apple

@Whiskylassie: Lots of honey on the front of the palate, ginger snap biscuits hot out of the oven!

@KirstyPryde1: The ginger is a lot less than I expected, picking up burnt sugar, creamy, creme brulee, orange and sultanas

@HMcnee: More ginger, orange zest, citrus, sweet, honey this tastes fantastic

Whisky Discovery #462

Wemyss Malts Peat Chimney 12 Year Old (40% abv)
Blended Malt Whisky
Circa £36.00 70cl

A blended malt, all at least 12 years old, that has a firm emphasis on Islay whiskies giving top notes of sweet smoke, iodine and peat.

So What Did We Think?

Dave Said: On the nose this has sweet gentle medicinal notes, charcoal right at the back, a little coal tar, some germoline and menthol and bringing a coastal theme to this, drifwood. It has Laphroaig (my first love) written all over it for me. The palate has a glorious gentle smoky sweetness about it, with a touch of white pepper, a little earthy and as some licorice, while the finish is dry and ashy but with a sherbet like feel too

Kat said: Seashore notes, reminds me of walking along the beach; Seafoam, seaweed, wet sand. Ash follows with some leather/rawhide notes coming through. Surprisingly sweet and not as smoky as I was expecting. The chewiness reminding me of BBQ ribs with a dry sugar rub, or BBQ fruit; pineapples w/brown sugar. Sticky toffee notes follow, very smooth like the toffee juice you get in creme caramel.

So what did the others think?

@rodbodtoo: Earthy, peat, rather than smoke from a bonfire. Under that, there's savoury salty notes

@LRWhisky: Scallops and sea food cooked on a BBQ at Port Ellen

@mattveira: Slight medicinal menthol note. Even get some smokey BBQ notes. Definitely reminds me of a certain Islay distillery

@TheWhiskyWire: Smoke infused Millionaire' shortbread on the palate.

@dvdbloke: Peat Chimney Palate - pepper spice, then lighter honied notes again. all the while peat smoke stays the whole development.

@cenbons: Not as peaty as I would have imagined (more on the finish though), chilli and sweet citrus

@KingsbarnWhisky: Oh now I can taste the mellow peat & smoke on the palate, nice and silky, woody & spicy

@Whiskylassie: Once I work my way through the ash, there's a bit of sticky toffee pudding there. Quite nice to find actually.

@BeersIveKnown: Plenty of smoke up front, woody chocolate and cooling menthol grapefruit

@StewartCraigon: Salty seaweed sandwich, with a side order of wet soot

Whisky Discovery #463

Bunnahabhain 'Chocolate Honeycomb' 2001 (46% abv)
Islay Single Cask Malt Whisky
Circa £59.00 70cl

Deriving from the Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’, Bunnahabhain was founded in 1881 by William Robertson and brothers James and William Greenless. This 2001 vintage was matured in a Puncheon and yielded 812 bottles at 46% abv

So What Did We think?

Dave said: Chocolate Honeycomb? This just screamed 'Crunchie' to me! Wemyss have great fun naming their single casks and get this right everything, often basing the naming on the first nosing but occasionally picking out something from the palate. Malty chocolate  started to developed when aired along with some fresh ginger and white pepper.

The palate opens with a salty sweetness to this at first, runny honey which suddenly turns quite fiery for a short burst  of fresh ginger before settling back and seemly thickening at the same time, coating the mouth. As the ginger fades hot white pepper flashes before leaving a malty warming feeling and slightly salty tang at the very end.

Kat said: Blackened bananas overly ripe, black pepper and peppery extra virgin olive oil. Chocolate and honeycomb follow. There's an oily silky quality to this, with melted dark chocolate & butter mix, simply delicious!

So what did the others think?

@TheWhiskyWire Thank Crunchie it's Friday or should I say "Thank Wemyss it's Wednesday"

@Smokiechops: Intensely sweet milk chocolate & honey. I get a slight nuttiness too 

@chrismiles303 In the mouth: Salted caramel chocolate! An initial salt then a big creamy caramel kick with some bitter chocolate to finish

@Whiskylassie A lot oilier on the palate than I anticipated? Quite smooth though. Very tasty drams indeed! I'm converted!

@dvdbloke Finish. Very creamy finish, drying with honied wood spices and a little dusting of cocoa.

And finally....

Bunnahabhain is quickly becoming a favourite distillery and 'Chocolate Honecomb' aka Crunchie only reaffirms my affection for it. The Peat Chimney was everything I was hoping it would be  and I definitely want a bottle!

Yet another great experience and another highlight of our whisky journey, with four new discoveries for us, Tweet Tastings really are a great way to taste whisky.

A massive THANK YOU to Steve Rush at @TheWhiskyWire and to all the team at @WemyssMalts and of course the tweet tasters who were:

@TheWhiskyWire @WemyssMalts @WemyssJacque @WemyssGinny @KingsbarnWhisky @KirstyChant @AliceLascelles @WhiskyMavericks @rodbodtoo @HMCnee @GeorgeHHutton @SajyBaby @LRWhisky @WhiskyDiscovery @WhiskyRepublic @KirstyPryde1 @WhiskyDiscovKat @theWhiskyReview @dramstats @SmokieChops @MattViera @dvdbloke @chrismiles303 @beersiveknown @cenbons and special guest appearance @Whiskylassie

For more information see: www.thewhiskywire.com and www.wemyssmalts.com

Four Single Cask releases from Wemyss Malts

I tasted these four single cask releases from Wemyss Malts during the height of our summer, enjoying the whisky while sitting out in the sunshine, jotting my notes down (the old way, in books) but with everything going on around me at the time never sat down and got them into the blog posts I was originally planning.

Ordinarily these would have each had their own separate post, buts seeing as I'm so far behind, and I tasted these all concurrently, thought they would all work well together in this single post.

Wemyss Malts is a boutique producer of fine malt whiskies named after the family of the same name (ponounced 'Weems'). While they have a core range of award winning blended malts they release a series of single casks roughly every quarter. 

Being single cask releases the number of bottles available from each release vary from cask size and age, and due to the wide distribution across the globe, it's not always possible to get hold of a bottle of one that takes your fancy. There's normally no time to think when you find a single cask release for sale, as before you've made up your mind it's usually sold out.

I have been fortunate in that occasionally pre-release samples are sent to me for review, and these four were just that. With a worldwide customer base and limited bottles available these sell out rather quickly, some have even sold out as the samples are on their way to me!

Whisky Discovery #488

Linkwood 2000 'Summer Orchard' (46% abv, 2012)

Speyside single malt Whisky

Circa £58.00 70cl

This was one of the four casks released in January of this year. Summer Orchard is from the Linkwood Distillery, a Speyside distillery is located just outside Elgin, owned by Diageo. Whisky from the Linkwood distillery are generally found in blended Scotch, being a major component of Johnnie Walker and White Horse. Distillery bottlings are not ordinarily available, although Diageo occasionally release limited editions

This 'Summer Orchard' release was my first Linkwood according to my Liquid Log. It was distilled in 2000 and matured in a sherry butt, and when bottled at 46% abv yielded 762 bottles.

So What did I Think?

As usual from Wemyss Malts the name of this single cask release fits the nose profile the instant you pop your nose over the Glencairn. Rosy apples come across strongly at first, but leave it for a little while to breath and soft vanilla sweetness comes through, with hints of dried apricot. There's a light dry woody note to this too

This comes across as very fresh, young and lively on the palate, a fresh sweetness initially but this quickly builds with peppery spices, almost rye-spice like which fades to a nutty creamy sweetness with just a hint of coconut at the end.

Whisky Discovery #489

Clynelish 1997 'Spiced Chocolate Cup' (46% abv, 2013)

Highland Single Malt

Circa £72.00 70 cl

It was a Clynelish that was the 'acorn' dram, a seed planted way before I'd considered starting my whisky journey, so I've always have a soft spot for Clynelish. 1997 was also a significant year for me too, as my youngest was born during the middle of making plans to up-sticks and move to the UK. Clynelish is another Diageo owned distillery situated in the Northern Highlands in the town of Brora. Two standard expressions are ordinarily available; The 14 Year Old and Distillers Edition, which has been finished in Oloroso casks.

Spice Chocolate Cup was one of the six releases from July 2013. It was distilled in 1997, matured in a hogshead, and when bottled at 46% abv yielded 302 bottles

So what did I Think?

The nose is rich and malty with an aroma that reminded me of fairground Toffee Apples. True to form I started to find the chocolate notes I was expecting, perhaps I should cover the labels next time to see if I could guess what the release would be called form my notes! Sweet honey notes follow, with pencil shavings bringing the woody notes while, nutmeg is the underlying spice.

The mouth feel is rich and spicy and immediately gives the impression of an aged malt with hints of well polished wood and old leather armchairs. The rich sweetness of stewed fruits, while the spices are gentle, remaining on the fairly short malty finish.

Whisky Discovery #490

Glen Scotia 1991 'Salted Caramels' (46% abv, 2013)
Campbeltown Single Malt

Circa £TBC 70 cl

The Glen Scotia distillery is owned by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company and is one of three Cambeltown Distilleries. After a turbulent few years last year the brand was revamped and five core expressions were released, with brightly coloured livery by way of shrink-wrapped bottles. This was another very new discovery and my first Glen Scotia.

Salted Caramels was was another one of the six releases from July 2013. It was distilled in 1991, another significant year in my life, being the year I left the UK and headed off to the Far East for seven years. This whisky was matured in a ex-bourbon barrel, and when bottled at 46% abv yielded just 279 bottles

So what did I Think?

Is it really worth me saying that this really does have an instant hit of salted caramels to it when first poured? After being matured for at least 21 years, this needs some time in the glass to develop and show off it's real character. A dirty maritime oily smoke, reminding me of an old steam launch I once went on, hot lube oil, steam, coal dust and sooty smoke, I love this! All the while there is a delicate sweet perfume trying to push through the coal dust notes.

This feels much stronger than the 46% abv sated in the label. Opening with a soft sweetness the wood spice builds quickly with rich malty notes on the palate. The smoke is much softer than the palate was suggesting, drifting peat smoke and cinnamon flavours giving this a savoury taste helped by a pinch of sea salt.

Whisky Discovery #492

Caol Ila 1980 'The Smokery' (46% abv, bottled 2013)

Islay Single Malt

Circa £TBA 70 cl

Another 'favoured' distillery, as it was a Caol Ila that set me off on my Whisky Journey leading me to go out and purchase my first bottle of whisky. Caol Ila, one of the eight distilleries on the Isle of Isla is and owned by Diageo, the core expression being their 12 Year Old, one I really must revisit soon.

The Smokery was another one of the six releases from July 2013. It was distilled in 1980, matured in a hogshead, and when bottled at 46% abv yielded 322 bottles - none of which I've been able to find!

So what did I Think?
I love the charcoal and ash notes from this, perhaps I'm a little 'doe-eyed 'when a Caol Ila is presented to me, but this nose is just heavenly for me. Underneath the smoky flavours you can pick out softer fruit and floral notes too, but for me this is all about the smoked peppered mackerel.

This is more sweeter than the nose would suggest with spiced fruit notes; cinnamon and cloves with cooking apples and poached pears at first, while charcoal and ash flavours develop with an earthy mustiness, finishing with ginger spices and a fragrant pipe tobacco note

Verdict
Four superb single cask bottlings from Wemyss Malts and my favourites were the Glen Scotia and The Caol Ila. I'm not sure of the price point for either of these but a 32/33 Caol Ila wouldn't come cheap, but these two proved impossible for me to find on-line anywhere. What I also love about these single cask releases is the labels - if I'm careful I can peel the label clean off the bottle and past them in my note book - sad I know, but they look great!

Many thanks for Wemyss Malts for sending these to me and for more information check out their website and you can follow @WemyssMalts on Twitter too! Look out for their next round of single cask releases which should be out any day soon now seeing as the last release was in July.

Slàinte! Dave

Wemyss Malts Tweet Tasting

The Whisky Wire's first Tweet Tasting of November and a new Whisky Discovery for me. Wemyss Malts is an independent bottler owned by the Wemyss family from Scotland, whose family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they've lived since the 1300s.

It's easier to say than read! You pronounce it 'weems' and is the Scots words for caves - as in the caves that pepper the rocky shore of Fife where Wemyss Castle looks out to sea. The family have a long-standing passion for malt whisky and their connection with the industry dates back to the turn of the 19th century when John Haig (founder of Haig's Whisky) built his first distillery on Wemyss land.

As well as this they also have someone with unsurpassed knowledge and expertise on their side, Charlie MacLean, the Scottish authority on malt whisky and star of the 2012 movie 'The Angels Share'.

We were each sent four expressions to sample in this first Wemyss Malts Tweet Tasting, two of their highly acclaimed blended whiskies and two of their 2012 release single casks whiskies.

With preparations in place we kicked off our evenings education at 1900 with The Whisky Wire's Steve Rush and Karen from Wemyss Malts hosting proceedings, all tweets contained the hashtag #WEMYSSTT

Almost Dram o'clock and ready to rock 'n' roll!

Whisky Discovery #235

The Hive 12 Year Old (40% abv)
Blended Malt Whisky
Circa £35.00 70cl

The 12 Year Old Blended Malt 'The Hive' from Wemyss Malts

For our first dram of the evening we started with The Hive. This is a blend of malt whiskies, with an emphasis on 12 Year Old Speyside malts from both fresh and refill Sherry casks.

Official Tasting Notes
The colour is rich and bronze, which hints at the sherry cask maturation. Nosing reveals sweetness and a hint of spice; reminiscent of fresh honey, toffee apples and cinnamon sticks.  The rich, honeyed sweetness continues onto the palate; dominating over aromas of dessert spice and candied fruits.  The lengthy finish is smooth and sweetly satisfying.

Julie told us that 16 different single malts going into the blend of The Hive, and all of them would need to be older than 12 years old

So What did I think?

After swirling my glass to coat the inside of it I had long thing legs running quite quickly down the glass leaving oily like beads around the top of it.

The nose was a little shy at first and needed to be teased out, but once it comes it is immediately sweet and spicy. The sweetness coming from heather honey, but there's a fruity element too, rosy red apples and soft pears, then there's a yeasty, malty flavour; fresh pastry dough and yeasty bread mix as well as malted milk biscuits.

On the palate it was light and fruity, pears being the more prominent fruit now, but jelly beans too! There's a little pepper spice which is softened by the honeycomb sweetness. As it fades there is a dry nuttiness to it. With a drop of water it is much creamier and the vanilla notes come to the forefront.

The finish is a balance of sweetness, a light saltiness and a citrus tartness  at the back of the tongue making the mouth water, very satisfying. A great start to our evening with Wemyss Malts.

Some of my favourite tweets for The Hive 12 Year Old

@TIA568B Honeyed fruit, soft creamy vanilla fudge, maybe a little floral and grassy?
@julie_gwc  Honeycomb for me on the nose - does what it says on the label!!
@steveprentice A rich, sweet, slightly nutty nose. Something seems very familiar about this one, but can't put my finger on it...
@rickfurzer The Hive - spices first, then a wave of honeyed barley & the Sherry then starts to come through - rum & raisin?
@the_josephellis Quite an oily palate, getting lovely sherried fruits now and picking up those pears soaked in honey
@galg Palate: very creamy. lots of fruit, caramel candy, some sherry, dark chocolate, nuts
@whiskyrepublic It just nestles into your mouth, nothing in your face about this dram, certainly not taking my tongue hostage.
@champdenwhite Fabulously smooth and honied on the palate, then a kick of spice with edges of vanilla and even a touch of caramel.
@KirstyChant Now getting salted caramel/toffee on the palate and that pepper is kicking in but it's not too much. Quite fruity on the finish

Whisky Discovery #236

Lord Elcho 15 Year Old (40% abv, Bottled August 2012)
Blended Scotch Whisky
Circa £50.00 70cl

The new Premium Blended Scotch Whisky, 'Lord Elcho' from Wemyss Malts

From The Hive 12 Year Old we moved on to the recently released 'Lord Elcho'. A premium blended Scotch whisky, which is named after one of the Wemyss ancestors Lord Elcho (1721–1787) was the eldest son of the 5th  Earl of Wemyss and was a commander in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army until his defeat at the Battle of Culloden

Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Rich and golden with copper tones
Nose: Rich and warming with subtle hints of sweet spice and sandalwood coming through.
Palate: Mouthcoating, robust and smooth, imbued with luscious spiced fruit and cloves.
Finish: Long, lingering and uncompromisingly luxurious.

So What did I think?

In the nosing glass this had thicker legs than The Hive, they were much slower moving too, and there was an even coating of the glass with no droplets forming.

This had a much richer nose, with a fudge like toffee sweetness, spiced rum, sherried fruit cake, vanilla ice cream, tobacco and chocolate notes. Spices came with sandalwood and liquorice and there was a richness of polished wood and old worn leather.

Rich and creamy mouth feel, luxurious even. With sweet plump grains and toffee fudge, spicy pepper which quickly fades leaving a dark chocolate note.

Much spicier finish than The Hive and with espresso coffee and hazelnuts. This is a really nice quality blend which I would love to have on my shelf. Dear Santa, I have been a very good boy this year.........

Some of my favourite tweets for Lord Elcho 15 Year Old

@the_josephellis Nose, battenberg soaked in spiced rum

@champdenwhite Nose stewed apples, and a touch of marzipan, the marzipan then becoming amaretto biscuits. Some ceder then bit of spice

@AWReviews Nose - Peanut brittle, salted caramel, maybe star enise or clove? slightest touch of wood, balsa wood maybe

@LRWhisky We're getting chocolate fudge and raisins, followed by a little liquorice and vanilla.

@rodbodtoo Nose is soft, with a bit of everything - malt, dried fruit, fudge, a wee echo of smoky salt

@TheWhiskyWire Oven baked bramley apples & grilled peaches, dusted with crushed pink peppercorns

@whiskyrepublic I'm getting a citrus "shimmy", sweet warm dry tobacco wafts, & flirty sherry notes

@julie_gwc Elcho is like stollen cake - marzipan and dried fruits - yum! Bit of caramel cake too

@DramStats Nose: closed. Furiously warming the glass! Opens up to reveal rich raspberry ripple ice cream with raspberry sauce

@galg taking a sip from this lovely Elcho nectar ; sherry galore, creamy, fudgy, chocolaty, cocoa  wood, fortified wine

@DramStats 

Palate: Sweet , creamy vanilla, and raspberry sauce (raspberry ripple ice cream) Black Cherry, dark chocolate, Szechuan pepper

Whisky Discovery #237

'White Chocolate Torte' (46% abv D.1988 B.2012)
Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky
Circa £84.00 70cl

White Chocolate Torte - a 24 Year Old from Tormore Distillery

Our next dram “White Chocolate Torte” is one of this years' five single cask releases from Wemyss. This is a 24 year old from the Speyside distillery, Tormore. Distilled in 1988 and laid to mature in ex-Bourbon barrel which produced 251 bottles at 46% when bottled earlier this year.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden Honeycomb

Nose: Creamy white chocolate truffles, watch your calories with this one! Presence of delicate fruity notes such as glacé cherries, lychees and Seville orange marmalade (with orange peel)

Palate: Instantly warning in the mouth, chocolate note still evident but now as dark chocolate and bitter orange. Fresher than expected from the nose, lingering on the tip of your tongue. The addition of water harnesses the fresh notes and brings a slight sweetness (can we detect dessicated coconut?) which makes this dram truly irresistible.

Finish: Delicate with hints of citrus freshness

So What did I think?

Thick slow legs in my nosing glass and a very even coating of the glass. Wow! Another nose I have been surprised at - I was a little cynical when I rad the label and official tasting notes, white chocolate? from a single ex-bourbon cask? How is this even possible? The nose on this is just like a white Magnum ice cream! There is the 'Milky Bar' white chocolate notes clearly evident. There's a light fruity note of light oranges, satsuma-ish, rich spicy oak notes before the creamy bourbon cask vanilla kicks in.

A lovely sweet and creamy mouth feel with bags of vanilla and white chocolate, the posh ones that seem to come out at Christmas (I'm not a big chocolate lover ordinarily and rarely buy any). The spicy oak slowly building into a crescendo before gently fading back allowing the creamy vanilla and white chocolate to return.

The finish was a great balance of sweetness and saltiness with some citrus freshness. This appeared to be the favourite of the evening for many, and surprisingly for a couple of 'peat heads' (me included too). I'm probably be too late to snap one of these 251 bottles up unless I have a bonus payout or a lottery win this week!

Some of my favourite tweets for 'White Chocolate Torte'

@dvdbloke Hold on. can't talk. minigasm over this nose!!
@AWReviews Massive wave of raspberry ripple ice cream, intense vanilla, icing sugar, glace cherry and apple crumble
@TIA568B Nose: Wow... Just wow, spot on with the name, I was a bit cynical, but yeah, white chocolate, milkybar, lovely!
@julie_gwc White Chocolate Torte - bashed up hazelnuts and almonds with a bit of citrus and wood!
@champdenwhite After that blast of white choc, there are lots of crystallised fruits, then fresh oranges.
@whiskyrepublic Those legs are walking down the side of my glass! Rich, pungent nose, dense fruit flavours, chocolate melted over marshmallow.
@dvdbloke Nose - don't know where to start, rich white choc, all things fattening and sumptuous.
@LRWhisky Summers ice cream by the beach (with a white 99) - what a palate
@the_josephellis A luxurious bittersweet mouth coating dram. Spicy oranges hit the back of my mouth but the front is all creamy and sweet!
@TIA568B Apricot and peaches, kiwi fruits in pavlova, more of that white magnum taste, a digestive biscuit cake base, love it
‏@whiskyrepublic This is a "comfort blanket" of a dram. Wrap it round yourself & sit in front of the fire! A definite favourite.

Whisky Discovery #238
'Beach Bonfires' (46% abv D.1998, B.2012)
Single Cask Islay Malt Whisky

Circa £75.00 70cl

Beach Bonfires - a 14 Year Old from Laphroaig Distillery

Our final dram of the evening was a second expression from the latest Single Cask release, this one being from Islay's Laphroiag Distillery. Distilled in 1998, matured in an ex-Bourbon hogshead yielding 357 bottles at 46% when bottled earlier this year.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Chenin Blanc

Nose: A good honest, reliable instant nose of minerals and earthy smoke. Reminding us ofthe location of this distillery there are huge notes of salty coastal, wet fishing net and tarred ropes. The slat note of a newly opened bag of nuts. Sweet BBQ sauce, coal and beach bonfires.

Palate: IFull bodied. This whisky is loaded with toasted cereal and dark stout malt. The lively smoke smoulders in your face at a beach bonfire. It fells like walking in to a smokehouse, intense smoke covering your eyes.

Finish: Sweet, sweet smoke, lasting a lot longer than a finish expected of a 14 year old whisky.

So What did I think?

Thick slow legs again, and a good even coating  which eventually leaves some oily droplets around the top of the glass.

The nose on this is just as the label tells us, and after the last whisky, I was ready for it too. Beach bonfires, salty driftwood freshly washed up on the high tide line and still covered in damp seaweed, charcoal from last nights BBQ, damp tarred hemp ropes, memories of rock pooling in Cornwall with the kids when they were younger. Salty beach pebbles drying in the sun, the smell of the cinder tray when cleaning the fireplace out in the morning after a wood fire, and ah! Those Laphroaig medicinal notes....

On the palate it was peaty but sweet, malty notes of a fresh granery loaf, peppery spice and chili heat, the beach bonfire charcoal was back and finishing with salty brine, coffee grounds and gentle smoke. It's truly mouthwatering.

I was sure this was going to be my favourite of the evening. The first whisky I ever bought was Laphroaig 10 Year Old, but the previous white chocolate surprised me and just pipped this overall on the evening, but then you never forget your first love ;)

Some of my favourite tweets for Beach Bonfires:

@LRWhisky Beach Bonfires This is my whisky. Memories of the beach at Port Ellen, of sunshine on Islay and of fine beachside whisky

@champdenwhite Lovely earthy nose with big dollops of smoke. wet seaside rocks.
@dvdbloke I'm getting that bacon fat roasting on a beach thing going on! crispy
@KirstyChant Reminds me of being down at the harbour waiting for my uncles' boats to come in.
@AWReviews Lovely salty driftwood, damp pebbles and oodles of lovely cinder ash smoke with nutella spread and malt
@TIA568B Seaweed and smoke, not overly strong though, smoky baccon pringles, still quite sweet, but that iodine's creeping in.
@DramStats TCP, Sticking plasters, Very coastal and salty. Lobster traps, Crabs (the crustaceans), sweet BBQ sauce, fennel, seaweed rocks
@rickfurzer Scallop shells n seaweed - with iodine coming through like a cut mouth. Then salinity comes through and makes your mouth water
@whiskyrepublic A dram that embraces, surely a challenge to those averse to Islay's charms. Seductive, mellowing, softening, with more air,
‏@TIA568B Nutty and woody, dry, salty, burning kelp - lovely!

As per previous Tweet Tastings there was a great deal of tweeting going on and to see what happened search on the #WEMYSSTT hashtag on twitter for the full story!
Yet another great experience and another highlight of my whisky journey, registering a fabulous four new ‘discoveries’ A massive THANK YOU to Steve Rush at @TheWhiskyWire and to Karen from @WemyssMalts

This events tweet tasters were: 

@TheWhiskyWire @WemyssMalts @WhiskyRepublic @EdinburghWhisky @KirstyChant @champdenwhite @Whisky_Demon @rickfurzer @WhiskyDiscovery @LRWhisky @dvdbloke @TIA568B @DramStats @mohler @AWReviews @julie_gwc @rodbodtoo @PMaitlando @the_josephellis @galg @steveprentice

If you want to be included in the next Tweet Tasting make sure you are following @TheWhiskyWire on Twitter to find out what is happening.

For more information see: www.thewhiskywire.com and for information about Wemyss Malts see www.wemyssmalts.com