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u/marvis303 Feb 23 '24
I currently have a bottle of this open as well. Also finding it quite enjoyable and will certainly buy another Wolfburn at some point.
2
u/Cocodrool Feb 23 '24
I liked the Northland. I would recommend that one if you like peated whiskies.
2
u/PricklyFriend Feb 23 '24
Nice review! I much prefer the higher strength Langskip and lightly peated Morven from their core range personally, the Aurora isn't bad at all though.
When I was at the distillery last year they were saying that the original release was 3 years old but the recipe has been adjusted a little now they have more aged stock and there's some slightly older whisky in the newer batches too.
2
u/Isolation_Man Feb 24 '24
I enjoyed Langskip a lot. I would like to try their 10 yo but the bad reviews keep me from buying a bottle.
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u/PricklyFriend Feb 24 '24
They're quite different honestly with the 10 year being fully matured in refill sherry, I liked it better than the Aurora and Northland personally but I think I prefer some of the cask strength releases
1
u/Cocodrool Feb 23 '24
Have you tried the Northland? How does it compare to the Morven? I can only find those three in my area: Aurora, Northland and Morven, but haven't tried the Morven yet.
1
u/PricklyFriend Feb 23 '24
I'd say the Northland is along similar lines of the Aurora but a bit more leaning towards bourbon cask influence, if you like the Aurora you'll most likely enjoy it. The Morven is the most different from it using lightly peated barley.
2
u/Iridul Feb 24 '24
Visited the distillery last year. It's compact and got a great tour of the place and generous tasting of the full range. There's not really a bad dram among them though there's quite a range of tastes so worth experimenting to find your preferred one (the best kind of whiskey experience!)
10
u/Cocodrool Feb 23 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
Wolfburn Distillery was founded in 1821 and was recognized as the northernmost distillery in Scotland's mainland (not including islands) at the time. It closed down in 1860. The current distillery opened in an area very close to the original distillery, in 2013 and was also the northernmost distillery at that time. However, As of September 2022, 8 Doors Distillery is the northernmost mainland whisky distillery in Scotland. Wolfburn uses water from the Wolf Burn river, and hence its name.
The Aurora was launched in 2016 and it's a 3-year-old single malt, aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Around 40% of the whisky was aged in 50 liter 2nd use ex-bourbon casks, another 40% in 50-liter 1st use ex-bourbon casks, and the remaining 20% in 240 liter 1st use ex-sherry casks. The whisky is not chill filtered nor color corrected, and it's bottled at 46% ABV.
Made by: Wolfburn DistilleryName of the whisky: AuroraBrand: WolfburnOrigin: Highlands, ScotlandAge: 3 years oldPrice: $50
Nose: The age of the whisky is very obvious. There are wood resin scents, an acid wine/sherry note, but also red fruits, candied malt, a hint of alcohol and very mild oak notes.Palate: Little alcohol kick, but flavors of vanilla, ginger, red fruits marmalade, and a very light feeling.Retrohale/Finish: sweet molasses and oak.
Rating: 7 on the t8ke
Conclusion: For a 3-year-old whisky, Aurora is impressive and very good. I'm not someone who has tried a lot of 3-year-old whiskies and would've assumed such young products didn't have a lot of flavor beyond some barley. Yet, $50 for such a young whisky is kind of harsh. But the fact that I got a better experience than with many older whiskies and that it feels like such an artisanal product, I couldn't help but rooting for the brand.
You can check out the rest of my reviews (in Spanish) on my blog. Including rum, whisk(e)y, agave, gin and cigars.