11th May, 2015 by Melita Kiely

Wemyss Malts is discontinuing its eight-year-old blended malts range and replacing it with three no age statement expressions due to the “global shortage” of aged Scotch whisky.

The trio comprising The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney will are now available as no age statement whiskies bottled at 46% abv, non-chill-filtered and gift packaged.

It follows the successful launch of the brand’s no age statement limited edition Velvet Fig last year.

Wemyss Malts confirmed it would be continuing its 12-year-old blended malts range but “on a limited basis”.

“Velvet Fig was our first blended malt foray into higher strength and non-chill-filtered bottlings and the reception from our customers was extremely positive,” said William Wemyss, managing director of Wemyss Malts.

“Consequently, we felt that the time was right to move our core expressions of The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney in the same direction.”

Each expression is named after its flavour characteristics, with The Hive offering honeyed notes, Spice King giving a sweet but spicy flavour and Peat Chimney for its “gentle” smokiness.

The Hive and Spice King have an RRP of £36.99 while Peat Chimney has an RRP of £38.99.

In December 2014, Wemyss Malts signed a new import agreement with Palm Bay International in the US.