Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry Oloroso refill
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Wolfburn Distiller
Average price: € 85.00
Official website: wolfburn.com
Another milestone for the young distillery in the northern Highlands, which in the summer of 2025 added a new age statement to its portfolio after the ten-year-old, with an additional two years of maturation.
Twelve years spent separately in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry second-fill casks for this lightly peated whisky, which replaces Northland as Wolfburn’s flagship.
Tasting Notes
Winey in a mineral and earthy way on the nose, with hints of undergrowth and damp foliage, spicy notes (cinnamon, nutmeg) and slightly tannic, imbued with mineral notes (at times balsamic) and hints of a bonfire. Waxy notes in the background, supporting a heart of fruit (plums, peaches, Abate pears), pine needles, fresh rosemary and wet rocks. The peaty aspect evolves over time towards incense, increasing in intensity, and sweeter aspects of caramel and vanilla emerge. Plenty of personality and intriguing.
On the palate, the woody and damp aspects continue to dominate, with a more pronounced spiciness to which aniseed and black pepper are added, in an oily texture that carries fruity (baked apple, pear, blueberries, blackberries) and sweet (baked cream, liquorice, toasted brown sugar) traits. Coastal tones rise, with a marked salinity that permeates the herbaceous and balsamic notes, which are always evident. Fresh ginger also appears. The smoke grows in tone over time, between burnt wood and incense. More compact and orderly than the nose, perhaps a little less interesting for this.
The finish is quite long with spices (ginger, black pepper, aniseed), fruit (with an unexpected citrus note), woody and mineral notes, incense, long-infused black tea and salt.
Review: Wolfburn’s character emerges more as the age on the label increases, although it still seems to lack the right balance that it could find with a few more years. The quality is still high, offering an excellent dram.
Vote: 86/100