Velvet Fig Blended Malt

Velvet Fig Blended Malt, NAS, 46 %

Here is a brand new blended malt from Wemyss Malts, just in time for the coming Yuletide. This expression is non chill-filtered, and bottled at 46 % ABV. It is a limited release of 6000 bottles.

The whisky has been matured in sherry casks, which is very apparent on the color, the nose and the taste.

The Velvet Fig Blended Malt has not yet been released in Norway or Sweden, and might very well miss out on the Holiday sales. However, it is available in online stores, and sells for about GBP 32.

Nose (22/25): Figs and dates immediately. Malt and half sweet. Soft, dry sawdust. Molasses and tamarind notes. After a while I also pick up some spices; nutmeg in particular. Somewhat nutty in character, almonds and unsalted peanuts.

Taste (21/25): Full bodied, with a sweet and spicy attack. Sheds the sweetness quite quickly and leaves a cool, menthol and mint like mouth feel. Quite refreshing. Almost like spearmint. Soft. After a couple of sips it becomes more flowery, slightly perfumy. The figs and dates now make an appearance on the palate. The spice is mainly pepper and cinnamon.

Finish (21/25): Warm, with medium length. The sweetness slowly seeps back, and it has definite tamarind notes to taste now. Nutty and oily finish.

Balance (21/25): A fine blended malt indeed. It will sit well in the glass come this Holiday season, I think. The price also seems very reasonable.

Score (85/100)

Image from Wemyss Malts.

Sláinte! - Thomas