It’s almost XMAS time and what better time to release new whiskies for the holiday season? I suspect we’re about to see many such products in the following weeks, and the latest is a very interesting Blended Malt by the name of Velvet Fig. Do not be alarmed, There is no added figs or anything (as I’ve been asked by some readers) , it’s only Wemyss Malt’s way of naming their whiskies, based on aromas and flavours of their whisky. As I’ve said Knowing their customers’ passion for whiskies matured in ex Sherry casks, Wemyss Malts has created this no-age statement expression to diversify their existing line-up and is its first blended malt to be non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46% abv. It is a limited release of just 6,000 bottles globally, and is presented in a gift carton and available in specialist spirits stores at around £40. The emphasis here is on Sherry casks, to get a thick sweet dried fruit and fig character with spices… All nice and looks dandy, but how’s the liquid?
Wemyss Malts Velvet Fig, 46% ABV, £35.99 
Nose: We’re in sherry land for sure. lovely sweet winery nose. Lots of sweet red fruit and some fig spread , add a bunch of winter spices and you get a bloody marvellous nose. And yeah, some oak. Like!
Palate: A deeper shade of sherry. Luscious sherry and sweet dried fruit. Plum. Fig. Berries. Thick and syrupy. A real XMAS dram if there was any. Cinnamon and Clove getting drier.
Finish: fig jam. Sultana and plum. Berry configure and pepper and maybe ( just maybe) a hint if sweet smoke.
Conclusion:
This is a delicious whisky, thick, and full of rich dark, and sherried aromas and spices, A really great companion for the holiday season. I believe they are going to sell like hot buns, and I’ve seen many other whisky friends liking them quite a bit too. So, at 40 quid, this is really a no brainer, get one for the holidays for yourself or as a gift. It makes for a great affordable and tasty winter dram. Good work Wemyss.
Score: 84/100
Available on pre-order at the Green Welly Shop under 40 quid.