Wolfburn Ukraine

Tasting a Wolfburn for the Ukrainian cause

The world got shocked exactly 3 years ago today, when Russian aggression descended on the democratic state of Ukraine and its people. My lovely partner in life is Ukrainian, so the war hit the household hard that eventful morning. But despair and sadness soon made way for resolve; the power of the Ukrainian people under the guidance of President Volodymyr Zelensky became an inspiration to the free people on this world. The geopolitical chessboard ever changing, we hope for an outcome that will do justice to the Ukrainian cause. That they may stand proud and free by our side as European brothers and sisters! 

In the early months after the start of the Russian aggression, we saw some bottlings appear that were supposed to support the Ukrainian cause. Money was raised for humanitarian aid, amongst others by Springbank and Wolfburn. The 500 bottles that were released by Springbank brought out the ugliest side of whisky collecting I have ever seen, with people actually fighting over bottles. Probably all with an eye on making profit over such a cause. Even now, on Whiskybase, somebody is trying to sell an Ukrainian purpose bottled Springbank for € 1.250,- (for a regular 10 years old with a yellow-blue label, that is it). This person should be banned and shamed, if you ask me. Unless his intentions are pure to gift all the money to a good cause, of course, but my cynical side says this is probably not the intention. 

Enough about that though, we will gladly look at the good side of these initiatives. Thank you Springbank and Wolfburn and whoever else in the whisky community for doing that! We drink today to the health and future of our family and friends in Ukraine. That we will see peace soon!

Wolfburn 2015, Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, bottled at 46 % abv

First things first: Wolfburn from the 2015 vintage, matured in quarter casks for 7 years. Exactly 1.550 bottles were produced, but there are smaller batches too, amongst others for a Belgian whisky club (112 bottles). 

Upon Sipping: Nice and light with hints of vanilla and warm caramel. The wood influence is very fresh and rewarding. Light notes of sugar and white fruit, maybe some peach in there too. After some breathing, some oiliness seems to rise from the glass. Quite complex. The palate provides a very compact sensation but as soon as you swallow, you are surprised by how fierce and incredibly smoky this Wolfburn is. In a way, this whisky could be compared to the Ukrainian soul: gentle on the outside, but passion within. On continued sipping, I detect more dry wood and the vanilla becomes more apparent. With water, more floral notes are released. The complexity of this Wolfburn keeps developing. On the finish, some lavender makes an entrance, which makes me decide undiluted is the way to go (for me).

Word to the Wise: Bottled exactly in time before the wood would have diminished the spirit of Wolfburn. Very straightforward bourbon matured malt, but the quarter cask does add a nice little edge of complexity.  

Score: 100 points (for the cause). 84 points (for the whisky).