Wolfburn 10 Years, 2014

The next Wolfburn 10 years old on our radar

It was not that long ago that the Wolfburn Distillery released their first 10 years old, which must be a milestone for any new distillery, to reach the double digits in aged whisky. I mean, recently we tasted the first Ardnamurchan 10 years old (find the review here). Where we found the first Wolfburn effort underwhelming, it was a decent enough dram. Since then, I have tasted quite a few more Wolfburn expressions. It was not a whisky I ever got deeply involved in, until a share I owned from two casks was put into bottles and delivered on my doorstep. I discovered that this mild, austere, mellow and minty single malt had a soul all its own. It got me hooked, actually. So, when a special single cask at no less than 10 years of age passed me by, I snapped up a sample.

Wolfburn 2014, 10 years old, bottled at 50 % abv

First things first: Matured in Second Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt with the number 113. Bottled for Van Wees for the 20th Pot Still Festival.

Upon Sipping: Wolfburn is always a little shy on the nose. I splashed some juice from my sample bottle on my hand palms and rubbed them together. Mostly wood, very dark and brooding, almost a Halloween single malt! The taste continues down the same path. Very nutty also, but furthermore darkly spiced with wood, chocolate, and delicious liquorice. The finish is very fudgy. I have not tasted many Wolfburn expressions, but I have to admit, they have a style all their own. It seems as if they take ultimate pride in being so austere. Water brings out some more wood spice, wet wood and the slightest hint of smouldering fireplace. I am strangely enticed by this Wolfburn. It is just beautiful in its simplicity, created from a very mellow sherry cask, where the wood has a bigger imprint than the sherry.

Word to the Wise: I imagine this is a whisky that Gandalf drinks after hunting Gollum through Mirkwood all day. I can’t make it any more descriptive than this. Does it paint a picture for you? I see it regularly available still in Dutch shops, and the price is very attractive for this age, quality and it being a single cask. Compliments all over.

Score: 87 points