Much-loved release returns with new age statement variant
EAST coast family distillery Wemyss Family Spirits has announced the return of its much-loved Velvet Fig dram, but this time with a 12 Year Old age statement to delight fans of the whisky.
Returning by popular demand following previous sell-out editions, the third iteration in the Velvet Fig series has been crafted by Wemyss Malts blender, Isabella Wemyss, for a limited 2025 release.
Wemyss said: “This release is continuing the legacy of the Velvet Fig series and will be true to previous releases with it being a fruit-forward, sherry-led profile with small-batch quality.
“We have carefully selected six first-fill sherry casks, three hogsheads and three butts, which we filled between June and November 2012.
“Usually, we marry whiskies in the casks for a few weeks, but we’ve taken a different approach with this release and allowed the whiskies to fully mature in sherry-seasoned oak casks for five months, bringing out a high-quality flavour and texture.”
“The new 12 Year Old expression marks a new evolution for the Velvet Fig dram that has had its flavour enriched for over a decade of sherry cask maturation and careful cask marriage.
The six first-fill sherry hogsheads and butts that were used in aging this release were sourced from The Speyside Cooperage, part of Wemyss Malts’ long-standing approach to selecting casks for their individual flavour and texture.
The final whisky comes bottled at 46% ABV, is non-chill filtered and with natural colour. It is only available in limited quantities via the Wemyss Family Spirits online store and select specialist whisky retailers.
Describing the Velvet Fig 12 Years Old, Wemyss said: “This is a whisky that is packed with flavour with a velvety mouthfeel, on the nose you will find red and blackberry, fig, milk chocolate with notes of marzipan and walnut.
“On the palate, ripe figs, dates, apricots, with the spice of nutmeg, ginger and chestnut which then finishes with cinnamon, pipe tobacco and sweet oak.
“Velvet Fig has always been known for its rich, fruit-forward character and smooth sherry influence. This new release stays true to that style, but the added age and extra time in cask have really taken the flavour up a notch.”
