Wemyss Candied Fruit Single Cask Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A-

Those finds of special barrels of scotch by Wemyss Malts just keep on coming, and coming out in their Single Cask releases. From the 2013 batch we have 294 bottles of the Wemyss Candied Fruit Single Cask. Distilled in 1998 at Auchentoshan (and therefore a 15 year old single malt), this release is Lowland example of the kind of fine, limited edition scotch that Wemyss ferrets out and brings to the discerning whiskey drinker.

Auchentoshan is an oddity among the Scottish distilleries, as it is one of two outfits that produces triple distilled whiskey. The process of triple distillation might be a standard feature of Irish whiskey-making, but it is an extreme rarity in Scotland. The process stems from the very early 19th Century foundations of Auchentoshan, as the distillery was probably started by Irish immigrants fleeing famine back on the Emerald Isle. Although triple distillation was not yet a staple of Irish whiskey-making at the time, it is plausible that the immigrants were familiar with the process and brought it with them.

The Scotch
As with all the Wemyss single cask releases, Candied Fruit 1998 was bottled at 46% abv. In the glass, the whiskey has a look unsurprising for a middle-aged scotch, with the color of pale straw reminiscent of white wine.

The nose lives up to the “candied fruit” billing, smacking of a fruitcake with citrus and pinapple spiked with brandy. Underlying the mainstream of the holiday special scent is the fragrant whiff of musty oak.

The flavor is sweet, and spicy with ginger and cinnamon. The sweetness remains within the realm of the nose’s spiked fruitcake for the most part, but towards the end reaches into the pouch for a little sweet tobacco as well. Underneath is the same fragrant, musty oak as from the nose. The finish is pleasantly warm, lingering and clean.

For those who like their scotch sweet and sophisticated, Wemyss Candied Fruit has the sort of mellow, clear character that makes for an ideal sipping whiskey for any occasion. If you aren’t obsessed with peat or pepper, buy it.

The Price
The Wemyss Candied Fruit Single Cask is listed with retailers for between €80 and €85 ($100-$110)