Our Story
Family Whisky Makers
Independently run by brother and sister duo William and Isabella, who are kin of the Scottish Wemyss family. We have a family history that inspires us every day to create contemporary spirits that celebrate our expertise and our adventurous endeavors in Scotland’s past.
Wemyss Malts
William and Isabella Wemyss, started their spirits journey in 2005 when they founded Wemyss Malts. William was inspired by his experience at the family’s French vineyard and with the family’s Scottish roots began exploring the blending of quality single malt whiskies. Whisky, new make spirit, oak casks and mature whisky are expertly sourced by William’s sister, Isabella, to produce superior, small-batch blended malt Scotch whiskies.
With a meticulous approach, passion for quality, and creative mindset, Wemyss Malts brings together the finest malts from across Scotland’s renowned whisky regions to create a beautiful portfolio of blended malt and single cask expressions.
Each one expertly-crafted, Wemyss Malts goes beyond flavour to truly captivate the senses, and capture the heart/mind/imagination of the Scotch malt whisky lover.
Darnley's Gin
The family spirits portfolio grew in 2010 with the addition of Darnley's Gin. The name was inspired by Mary Queen of Scots meeting her future husband while staying at Wemyss Castle in 1565. Today Darnley’s in distilled in Fife and visits can be made to Darnley’s Distillery and Gin School.
Darnley’s Gin is made using only natural ingredients; the best botanicals, the freshest
Scottish water and pure spirit. We believe that by respecting the ingredients gifted
to us by nature, and not using colours, sweeteners or artificial flavourings, we can
create gin that brings a nuanced and authentic taste to your glass.
Kingsbarns
The final member of the spirits family is Kingsbarns Single Malt. Established in 2014, the small family distillery and visitor centre can be found near the Fife village of Kingsbarns.
The distillery uses local ingredients to produce its Single Malt whisky including water from an aquifer below the distillery and Fife grown barley. Its casks are matured locally as well. Kingsbarns is, therefore, not only a Single Lowland Malt but one also heavily inspired by its local surroundings.
Lord Elcho
David, Lord Elcho, eldest son of the 5th Earl of Wemyss, was one of the most celebrated supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the ill-fated Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Born in Scotland and heir to the vast Wemyss Estate on the rocky shore of the Firth of Forth, Lord Elcho was educated at Winchester College, England and then military school at Angers, France before travelling to Italy where he met the young Charles Edward Stewart in 1740.
For the significant role that he played in the uprising, and in recognition of his loyalty and uncompromising bravery at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745, Elcho was appointed colonel of the Prince’s lifeguards. He remained with the Young Pretender until his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 when, as punishment for his part in the uprising, Elcho was stripped of his lands and title and forced into exile in France. He pursued a military career on the continent, but sadly was never able to return to his native Scotland.
Lord Elcho premium blended Scotch whisky is imbued with the refined masculine spirit of its namesake. Smooth, rich and aged to perfection it is truly a noble whisky with a noble heritage.
