20 Years of Flavour-First Scotch Whisky

Blended malt doesn’t should imply compromise. At Wemyss Malts, mixing is an artwork type handled as a option to amplify flavour, not flatten it. Over the previous twenty years, this impartial, family-owned firm has constructed a popularity for characterful whiskies that put style first, from single cask gems to its flavour-led core vary.

We spoke with Kirsty MacKinnon, Senior Model Supervisor at Wemyss Malts, to discover how the model’s philosophy has developed over 20 years, why mixing might be simply as expressive as single malts, and the way Wemyss is considering the way forward for scotch in an ever-changing world.

What Is Wemyss Malts?

Wemyss Malts is a family-owned whisky firm crafting small-batch blended malts that target flavour reasonably than age or area. Based in 2005 by William and Isabella Wemyss, the model is a part of Wemyss Household Spirits, alongside Kingsbarns Distillery and Darnley’s Gin.

Mixing is led by Isabella Wemyss, who brings a exact and considerate strategy to cask choice and flavour composition. Drawing on the household’s heritage in tea mixing and winemaking, every launch is rigorously constructed to ship stability, character, and consistency.

The core vary highlights three distinct kinds: The Hive (candy and honeyed), Spice King (daring and fragrant), and Peat Chimney (delicate and smoky). Every is made totally from single malts and designed to showcase the range of scotch whisky.

An Evolving Strategy

1. As Wemyss Household Spirits celebrates its twentieth anniversary, how has the corporate’s philosophy developed from these early single cask bottlings to right now’s broader vary of blended malts and spirits?

When Wemyss Household Spirits was based in 2005, our focus was on deciding on and bottling distinctive single casks of scotch whisky. Every cask was chosen for its distinctive character and individuality, and we took nice pleasure in presenting these whiskies underneath evocative names that mirrored their distinctive flavour profiles. Our strategy from the outset was rooted in approachability, transparency, and a deep respect for the range of scotch whisky.

Twenty years on, that core philosophy stays unchanged: we’re nonetheless led by flavour, pushed by high quality, and dedicated to craft. What has developed is the breadth of our providing. 

Along with single casks, we now produce a core vary of blended malts, a high-malt blended scotch, and a variety of restricted editions. Every of those permits us to showcase the artistry of mixing, an usually underappreciated craft, and to carry constant, flavour-led experiences to a wider viewers.

Inside The Wemyss Malts Core Vary

2. Your blended malts have carved out a particular place out there. What impressed the transfer from impartial bottlings to making a core vary, and the way do you keep consistency whereas showcasing character?

The transition from solely impartial bottlings to a core vary of blended malts was a pure evolution. 

Over time, we developed a deep understanding of cask character, regional kinds, and the potential of mixing malts to create concord. We wished to supply one thing everlasting, whiskies that buyers might return to repeatedly, whereas nonetheless capturing the individuality that outlined our single casks.

Our core vary: The Hive, Spice King, and Peat Chimney was born out of this concept. Every expression is crafted to symbolize a definite flavour profile: honeyed sweetness, warming spice, and mild smoke, respectively. Their names are designed to mirror their character, reasonably than typical regional or age cues, persevering with our mission to make whisky extra accessible with out compromising depth.

Consistency throughout batches is ensured by the work of our Manufacturing Director, Isabella Wemyss, who oversees each mix and hand-selects every cask. We use a broad palette of single malts (as much as eight in some expressions) and thoroughly regulate the recipe to keep up profile constancy, at all times bottling at 46% ABV, pure color and non-chill-filtered. 

As soon as blended, the whisky is married in oak casks to permit the flavours to combine absolutely and develop extra depth earlier than bottling. 

On the identical time, we by no means search uniformity on the expense of soul – every expression should retain the character and individuality that outline Wemyss Malts.

The Way forward for Wemyss Malts

3. Trying forward, how do you see Wemyss Household Spirits adapting to rising developments, significantly with the rising curiosity in whisky-based RTDs and new codecs of having fun with scotch?

As a family-owned and independently operated firm, we have now the agility to discover rising developments whereas staying true to our roots. 

The rising curiosity in whisky-based RTDs is actually one we’re watching with curiosity. We see this not as a dilution of scotch’s heritage, however as a chance to introduce whisky to new audiences in additional accessible and modern methods.

That stated, any transfer we make into this area, or others, should be completed with integrity. If we have been to develop a whisky-based RTD, it might be crafted with the identical care and flavour-led ideas as our bottled whiskies. We might by no means launch something that didn’t uphold the standard and character that outline Wemyss.

Extra broadly, we’re actively exploring how our whiskies might be loved in new settings – from highball serves and cocktails to meals pairings and experiential tastings. Participating with the on-trade has been a key focus of mine: working intently with bartenders and cooks to show the flexibility of our spirits and to demystify scotch for the following era of drinkers.

As we stay up for the following twenty years, we intend to stability innovation with heritage, at all times anchoring new concepts within the values which have outlined Wemyss Household Spirits for the reason that very starting.

Purchase Wemyss Malts

Wemyss Malts Whisky is obtainable within the UK, chosen EU markets, and within the USA. You will discover Spice King, Peat Chimney, and The Hive, in addition to aged single malts and particular releases, on the Wemyss Malts web site.