First off, here’s the news! Then below is my review…
Wemyss Malts is launching a new no-age statement, limited edition whisky called ‘Velvet Fig’ which comprises specially selected single mlats matured wholly in ex Oloroso sherry casks, evoking rich autumn and winter fruits and spices.
This is Wemyss’ first blended malt to be non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46% abv. It’s a limited release of 6000 bottles globally, available for around £40.
For my review please see below, but first, let’s catch up with some of the PR info that relates to this release…
This 25 year old limited release of 1,800 bottles brings together the best of American oak and French oak. It was initially matured for eight years in North American bourbon casks followed by an exceptionally long finish of 17 years in first fill wine barriques from Bordeaux, making it the longest Auchentoshan has ever been finished, and the longest wine finish in the industry.
Back in May Maverick Drinks announced the launch of Darkness! – ‘a range of exceedingly dark single malt and single grain whiskies with an enormously punchy, unashamedly brazen character’.
I take a look at five of them below, but before I do, here’s a little more info…
These so-called “sherry monsters” are sourced from Scotland’s top distilleries and are gloriously dark in colour thanks to the use of small, specially crafted sherry casks for finishing. The range is the first of its kind.
West Country brewer Bath Ales has just unveiled an exciting new addition to its Sulis Collection – Gem Aqua Vitae.
A limited edition English Single Malt Spirit, the new product offers something truly unique as the producer continues to push boundaries and challenge customers’ expectations.
Gem Aqua Vitae is made using the finest floor malted barley using expert brewing techniques. At 42% VOL it is the strongest product that Bath Ales has ever sold.
Distilled in collaboration with The English Spirit Distillery, the spirit is made using wort – the product of the ‘mashing’ process that starts every brew.
So, last month saw Maverick Drinks update their Reference Series with 9 of the latest additions. There’s a quick review of four of those releases below, but first let’s look at the official PR blurb…
Maverick Drinks is proud to announce the release of 9 additions to the world’s first educational whisky range, Reference Series. The range of blended malt whiskies was first launched earlier this year, and showcases the effects of various production techniques and ingredients used to make Scotch.
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Highland Journey – Hunter Laing & Co – 46.2% abvInfo: Hunter Laing’s first blended malt. Inspired by Stewart Laing’s first visits to the Highlands as a child with his father, Highland Journey is composed of malts distilled exclusively in the Highlands region. Bottled at 46.2%, each small batch bottling contains whiskies matured in bourbon and sherry casks.
Nose: A nose full of flavours. Packed with caramel, vanilla fudge and cream. Light fruits and a few nuts. Youngish malt notes from younger spirit that’s probably in the mix.
For my review of the new Cask Strength Machrie Moor, please see below… but first, let’s catch up on the PR info…
Arran Distillers is launching the latest in its Machrie Moor peated whisky collection, which includes the first ever cask strength version of the limited edition Single Malt.
The Machrie Moor Single Malt first appeared five years ago, inspired by the legend of a warrior giant who tethered his dog to a stone in a mystical peat bog called Machrie Moor which lies on the west coast of the Isle of Arran.
This September the fifth edition of Machrie Moor – the only peated Arran malt – will be released worldwide, alongside a cask strength edition which has been bottled at 58.4%. Both single malts are limited edition and highly anticipated because of their unique flavour.
It’s that time of the year that Wemyss release their latest batch of whiskies, always good!
Find below the details of the various single cask bottlings release… and read on for a review of three of them… “Cayenne Cocoa Bean” – 1997 single cask from Clynelish, Highlands, “Peaches and Cream” – 1989 single cask from Glen Garioch, Highlands and “Smoke on the Water” – 1982 single cask from Caol Ila, Islay.
So the news is that Ardmore has become “The” Ardmore, I’m guessing some rebranding / brand refresh is going on…
Anyways, they’ve released a new whisky! A lightly peated Highland single malt called Legacy. Here’s some of the PR Blurb:
Tomorrow (Wednesday 24th September) at 8pm Swedish time (7pm UK time) the eighth annual Laphroaig Live will broadcast live from Sweden.
This year’s show will be streamed live from a tiny island called Fjäderholmarna which is part of the archipelago just outside Stockholm.
You can watch the broadcast live as it happens on Somerset Whisky Blog right here:
SWB | Somerset Whisky Blog 