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Wemyss Malts is continuing its 15th Anniversary celebrations this year with the return of its Velvet Fig expression, now taking the form of a 25 year old Sherry cask blended malt composed from casks of Highlands, Speyside and unpeated Islaywhiskies.
Velvet Fig was Wemyss Malts first limited edition blended malt released back in 2014, so named from the velvety and fruity character derived from its Sherry cask stock. The release went on to win the Best Scotch Blended Malt at the 2015 World Whisky Awards.
In 2019, Isabella Wemyss, Production Director for Wemyss Malts secured 5 casks of exceptional 1994 vintage Sherry cask-matured malt whisky from undisclosed Highlands and Speyside single malt distilleries and the blending team used these as the base to develop the new premium age statement Velvet Fig recipe. Blender and Brand Manager for Wemyss Malts Steven Shand commented, “With the Speyside and Highland casks as the base of the whisky we set about combining additional old casks of whisky from our stocks to add a velvety body, richness and complex wood tannin. By carefully selecting and adding several 1988 vintage casks of unpeated, Sherry matured Bunnahabhain’s as the final 29% of the recipe we were able to achieve an aroma, flavor and body that did justice to the Velvet Fig name.”
It has been bottled non chill-filtered at 42.3% ABV and is stated as 25 years old. The release will be available in the UK, EU and Asia from the 25th of February, with a suggested retail price of £126. Members of the Wemyss Malts Cask Club members posted their own reviews of Velvet Fig Aged 25 Years via Instagram from up to the 27th of February.
