Wemyss Malts - Kiln Embers

For the #wemyssTT4 tasting the latest release called Kiln Embers was included in the package. Before we dive in to it lets first see what they tell us about it...

"Wemyss Malts is launching a new limited edition to complement its award-winning blended malts range. The new 'Kiln Embers’ is a smoky addition to the Wemyss line up, blended with double the amount of smoky Islay malt whisky than its sister whisky, Peat Chimney. Following its popular 2014 limited release, Velvet Fig, Wemyss Malts has created this no-age statement expression to offer an additional peaty dimension to its blended malt range. 

Kiln Embers is also non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46% abv. With a limited release of just 12,000 bottles globally, it is presented in a gift carton and will be available in specialist spirits stores at around £42. Like the rest of the Wemyss Malts blended malts selection, Kiln Embers is named after the whisky's natural flavours and aromas. 

The whisky's name and gift carton are inspired by the barley malting process where peat is added to a kiln to develop the smoky flavours found in this whisky. On the nose, snuffed smoke mingles with salted lemons and sweet cure bacon; while oats and orange peel toast over embers and heathery peat on the palate; resulting in a sweet smoke finish. 

William Wemyss, Managing Director of Wemyss Malts, commented: “When I started this business in 2005, I never envisaged the amazing breadth of flavours to be found in whiskies. Our new "Kiln Embers" is even smokier than our existing smoky favourite Peat Chimney and is a fitting celebration of our ten years in the industry"

The nose is first a bit moorish with a sweet honey and fruit note under the earthy, salty and herbal notes. Needs a bit of time to open up it feels. The sweeter notes become more present with time. There is also some fresh almost equaliptus/spearmint note in the back, but it comes and go very fast, so cant pin it down fully. There is heavier layer underneath it all that reminds me of barley, rich nutty bread, dried figs, prunes and dates.

On the palate the peat comes forward more then on the nose. It is at first more like a bonfire ashes peat, and changes then quickly in a liquerish form that holds also fruity sweet notes. Some salty underlying note that mixes with the red crumbly apple, elderflower, cinnamon, prunes and pears. Hints of creamy vanilla and raisins in here and making me think of cookie dough and baking spices a bit on the good length finish. A pleasant and balanced dram of which I would love a bottle for sure. Scoring it an 8 out of 10.