Wemyss The Smokery Single Cask Scotch Review (2013)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

The Smokery is another very aged Caol Ila selection from Wemyss Malts, the busy artisinal scotch negociant and blender. As such, it shares a common element with the past Wemyss single cask selections from Caol Ila that we’ve reviewed here, Lemon Smoke and Heathery Smoke, namely a light touch of smoke that enhances, rather than dominates, the other elements of the whiskey’s flavor.

The Scotch
Wemyss’s The Smokery was distilled at Caol Ila in 1980, so as part of the mid-2013 release of single casks, it is a 33 year old scotch. The run for this limited edition was 322 bottles, bottled at the customary 46% abv.

The color of The Smokery is very suggestive of the bigger side of the spirit within the glass: it resembles clear pear juice, what with its glistening, pale yellow quality. The nose ought to explain why, as the scent is fruity and floral, but with an oily texture, and with a teaspoonful of mustiness and ash, kind of like a well-seasoned, but long undisturbed fireplace.

The flavor is like a pie baked in an old wood-burning stove. Apples and pears mingle with cinnamon and ginger spice, underlaid with that characteristic light touch of ash and musty wood from the nose. The finish is light, tinged with sweet tobacco and smoke, and imparts a gingery afterglow.

As I wrote, The Smokery shares a common styling with the other Wemyss single casks from Caol Ila, and in that past I’ve loved what the small whiskey-maker has chosen to bottle from that distillery. In this case, however, something didn’t gel in just the right way this time. I liked it, but didn’t love it.

The Price
If you can find it, a bottle of The Smokery should run you about $150.