Wemyss "Smoky Shores" 14yo Blended Malt

Brother and sister team; William and Isabella Wemyss, started their spirits journey in 2005 when they founded WEMYSS MALTS. William was inspired by his experience at the family’s French vineyard and with the family’s Scottish roots began exploring the blending of quality single malt whiskies. Whisky, new make spirit, oak casks and mature whisky are expertly sourced by William’s sister, Isabella, to produce superior, small-batch blended malt Scotch whiskies.

The family spirits portfolio grew in 2010 with the addition of DARNLEY’S GIN. The name was inspired by Mary Queen of Scots meeting her future husband while staying at Wemyss Castle in 1565. Today Darnley’s in distilled in Fife and visits can be made to Darnley’s Distillery and Gin School.

The final member of the spirits family is KINGSBARNS SINGLE MALT. Established in 2014, the small family distillery and visitor centre can be found near the Fife village of Kingsbarns. The single malt whisky is a light and delicate Lowlands single malt distilled using Fife barley, water from the aquifer beneath the distillery and 2 types of yeast. It is matured in the finest quality fresh oak barrels.

Smoky Shores is back, and this time there’s a 14-year age statement on the label. Following the original release in 2022, Wemyss Malts has returned to its salty, smoky theme with a blend of two single malts that approach peat from rather different directions.

The first peated malt is Ledaig from the Isle of Mull's Tobermory distillery. The other is a peated expression from a distillery more usually associated with an unpeated style, Bunnahabhain on Islay. Master blender Isabella Wemyss selected the whiskies from a small parcel of hogsheads and married them to bring together coastal brine, medicinal peat and a bright thread of orange peel. The names remain under wraps, so there’s something to debate while you’re nosing it.

Fourteen years of maturation have developed the savoury side of the whisky, while that citrus character keeps things lively. Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration, this limited release comprises just 3,552 bottles. A seaside dram with clouds of smoke in its coat pockets.

Nose Coastal brine and rich peat smoke, with an unmistakably salty, sea-air character. The smoke is deep and rounded rather than sharp.

Palate: Medicinal peat and sea salt, lifted by orange peel. Savoury smoke runs throughout, with the citrus keeping it in balance.

Finish: Long and lingering, with white pepper and warming clove.