Wolfburn
Small Batch #416
- 46
- 70cl
- Taste: 3
- Highlands
Located in Thurso, William Smith founded Wolfburn Distillery in 1821. He built it near the Wolf Burn (a small stream), which provided the water source for whisky production. During its early years, the distillery produced a significant amount of whisky. By the mid-19th century, it was one of the largest distilleries in Caithness. Unfortunately, like many distilleries of the time, Wolfburn ceased operations towards the end of the 19th century,...
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Located in Thurso, William Smith founded Wolfburn Distillery in 1821. He built it near the Wolf Burn (a small stream), which provided the water source for whisky production. During its early years, the distillery produced a significant amount of whisky. By the mid-19th century, it was one of the largest distilleries in Caithness. Unfortunately, like many distilleries of the time, Wolfburn ceased operations towards the end of the 19th century, and by the 1860s, it had fallen into disuse.
The revival of Wolfburn Distillery began in 2012, nearly 150 years after its closure. The new distillery was constructed not far from the original site, on the outskirts of Thurso. Although designed with modern equipment, the updated buildings still retained traditional methods of whisky production. In 2016, Wolfburn released its first whisky from the new distillery.
A unique bottling, fully matured in first-fill Ruby Port Pipes, sourced from a vineyard in the Douro Valley. This region in northern Portugal is one of the oldest protected wine regions in the world. Wolfburn sourced these casks in 2016, and have produced a beautifully sweet and rounded 10-year-old whisky with outstanding depth of flavour.
Official Tasting Notes
Nose - Warm ruby port aromas drift alongside a delicate whisper of sea salt. Dried fruits slowly emerge - raisins, dark cherries and sultanas, in a deeply vinous embrace that hints at the extraordinary casks at work.
Palate - Luscious caramel and smooth vanilla arrive first, underpinned by beautiful wine-soaked flavours. Darker notes follow, gentle oak smoke and the rich sweetness of dates and figs with a supple, full-bodied texture and outstanding depth of flavour.
Finish - Long and warming. Caramel and dried fruits linger with quiet confidence, while those signature ruby port notes weave through to the very end.
The revival of Wolfburn Distillery began in 2012, nearly 150 years after its closure. The new distillery was constructed not far from the original site, on the outskirts of Thurso. Although designed with modern equipment, the updated buildings still retained traditional methods of whisky production. In 2016, Wolfburn released its first whisky from the new distillery.
A unique bottling, fully matured in first-fill Ruby Port Pipes, sourced from a vineyard in the Douro Valley. This region in northern Portugal is one of the oldest protected wine regions in the world. Wolfburn sourced these casks in 2016, and have produced a beautifully sweet and rounded 10-year-old whisky with outstanding depth of flavour.
Official Tasting Notes
Nose - Warm ruby port aromas drift alongside a delicate whisper of sea salt. Dried fruits slowly emerge - raisins, dark cherries and sultanas, in a deeply vinous embrace that hints at the extraordinary casks at work.
Palate - Luscious caramel and smooth vanilla arrive first, underpinned by beautiful wine-soaked flavours. Darker notes follow, gentle oak smoke and the rich sweetness of dates and figs with a supple, full-bodied texture and outstanding depth of flavour.
Finish - Long and warming. Caramel and dried fruits linger with quiet confidence, while those signature ruby port notes weave through to the very end.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig