Wemyss Seaweed on the Rocks Single Cask Scotch Review (2013)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

“Bunnahabhain” is quite a mouthful, especially if you try to put a proper Gaelic accent on it. The word means “foot of the river,” and is the name of a village on the famed Scotch-making island of Islay. That village hosts a distillery, also named Bunnahabhain. Built in 1881, The Bunnahabhain is noted for being one of the milder Islay distilleries.

This distillery is also the source for the late 2013 Wemyss Single Cask release “Seaweed on the Rocks.” Distilled in 1991, making it a 22 year old. The cask in question yielded 294 bottles, and as is the custom at Wemyss, that yield was cut to 46% abv.

The Scotch
In the glass, Seaweed on the Rocks has a pretty normal look for a good scotch: pale straw, akin to a white wine with a little body to it. The crisp nose has a tad of the sea spray suggested by the name, but the predominate scents are of apple with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. A dollop of creosote is in there too, completely in keeping with the Islay origins of the spirit.

The flavor is velvety instead of crisp, perhaps because that bit of sea salt is gone. That leaves a pleasant blend of sweetness and cookie spice, plus a little smoke and a streak of woodiness. It’s well-balanced and a pleasure to sip. The finish starts with an aftertaste that is a little ashy and a little spicy, and winds down from their with a good bit of warmth.

The Price
The Wemyss Seaweed on the Rocks Single Cask is listed at £65-70 (approximately $110) before VAT is applied.