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Wemyss Malts Velvet Fig 12 Year Old Review

Can a blended malt deliver true sherry-cask depth? Velvet Fig 12-Year-Old answers with figgy fruitcake, milk chocolate, and warming Oloroso oak.

OVERALL RATING

8
$71
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

A 2025 limited-edition release, the Velvet Fig 12-Year-Old is a small batch blended malt created by independent bottler Wemyss Malts, who produce both a core range of blended whiskies and regular single cask releases. Wemyss Malts Velvet Fig is crafted from a selection of ten single malts, with Isabella Wemyss selecting six casks – three first-fill sherry hogsheads and three first-fill sherry butts – filled between June and November 2012 as the heart of the blend. Following 12 years of full sherry cask maturation, the whiskies were married together in wood for five months. Velvet Fig is bottled without chill filtration at 46% ABV.
Appearance:
Bright Mahogany
Nose:
A gentle nose with aromas of orchard and bramble fruits, including red berries, strawberries and blackberry, leading into rich sherry, stewed figs and Christmas fruitcake with a thick layer of marzipan. There are also notes of sweet milk chocolate, and in the background mahogany wood and furniture polish.
Palate:
Initially opens light on the palate, but becomes richer and mouthcoating as rich sherry-soaked fruits emerge with caramelised figs, raisins, sultanas, dates and apricots. There’s a flash of milk chocolate which quickly gives way to sherried oak layered with nutmeg, cinnamon and chestnut spice.
Finish:
Medium length, a warming finish with sherried oak, slightly drying Oloroso sherry accompanied by cinnamon, nutmeg and chestnut with an echo of tobacco leaf.
Comments:
With lots of sherry influence, Wemyss Malts Velvet Fig 12-Year-Old displayed a great balance and integration between the component single malts after that five-month marriage period. I enjoyed the rich mix of sherried fruits, spices, and sherry seasoned oak. The Velvet Fig expression is a blended malt which I can see appealing to a wide range of sherried whisky enthusiasts. I’ve sampled a few Wemyss blends, and Velvet Fig is my standout favourite so far.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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