Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry Oloroso refill
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Wolfburn Distiller
Average price: € 75.00
Official website: wolfburn.com
Vote: 83/100
I return after a long time to this Highlands distillery which, so far, hasn’t exactly overwhelmed me, but given that a few years have passed and people (and whiskies too) change, it seems only right to give it another chance.
And I’m doing so with the first bottling of the core range at stated age, released in 2023 to coincide with the ten-year anniversary of the reopening, made from only second-fill ex-oloroso sherry casks (hand-selected, they are keen to point out), at a decidedly competitive price.
Ten years is always an important milestone for a distillery, so what better occasion to give it another chance?
Tasting notes
A somewhat atypical sherry on the nose, almost old-fashioned, where the fruit is moist and musty, notes of underbrush and moss intertwine with macerated currants and raspberries, balsamic vinegar cream, hydrocarbons, candied orange peel. Rather intense and pungent, with a slight spicy inflection of cinnamon and nutmeg, over time it increases its fruity side.
The palate loses the funky notes on the nose and follows a more classic path of fruity impressions (red fruits, sultanas, cherries in spirit), milk chocolate, cinnamon, candied ginger, sweet liquorice, baked apple, a touch of cinchona and wood. Slight toasty traces in the background, with a saline note appearing at the end of the sip.
Quite long finish of red fruits, light spices, almonds, salt.
I would have preferred it to maintain the peculiarities of the aromas on the palate as well, instead of settling on paths already seen, albeit with a few flashes that hint at an underlying personality. Which, however, still does not convince me.