Today we’ll have a review of a new whisky release targeted at the x-mas/new year holidays shoppers. This time it’s another special edition from Wemyess Malts, Kiln Embers. Kiln Embers release follows Velvet Fig, its very successful predecessor, which I liked a lot and so I had high hopes for this one as well.

This time, Wemyss Malts took different approach and direction, almost 180 degrees of Velvet Fig, going west toward Islay and peat. Yes, it’s true they already have a peated whisky in their portfolio (Peat chimney), but this special edition boast double amount of smoky Islay malt. Let’s check what we have in store here.

Wemyss Malts Kiln embers (46%, 12000 bottles, £32.92/€39.90)

Nose: A very malty nose, smoky but the main note for me here was real young, almost new make like, peated spirit. Citrus and lemon, very young and very soft.

Palate: Smoke, sweet peated new make, rubber and a bit of honey vanilla sweetness from the cask. Young and mellow.

Finish: Short finish with sweet peat followed by bitterness

Thoughts: Kiln Embers is an apt name for this whisky although I expected a smokier expression and not just a peatier whisky as I associate embers and kiln with smoke (and less so with pure peat). Overall I was very disappointed with Kiln Embers. I may have set my expectations too high following Velvet Fig which was young too but exciting and interesting, but here it just didn’t work for me. I felt it’s way too young with too many new make like notes with sweet peat and not much else, making it a young, flat and boring expression in my mind. But maybe I’m not the intended clientele?

(Official sample from Wemyss Malts)