If you have never heard of Wolfburn Distillery, it might be time to investigate. There is an “old world” quality about the distillery and the spirits they produce.
From their website, “Wolfburn Distillery stands in Thurso, Caithness — the most northerly town on the British mainland, and one of the most uncompromising corners of Scotland. Founded in 2012 on the site of an original 19th-century distillery that had been silent for over 150 years, Wolfburn is one of Scotland’s most northerly working whisky distilleries. The Wolf Burn stream that fed the original mash tun still flows past the site today, unchanged. Every drop of Wolfburn whisky is made here, on-site, by hand from milling to bottling with no automation and no shortcuts. Just water, malted barley, copper pot stills, and time.”
This is a succinct introduction to their distillery where they create their excellent Aurora Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Aurora is Highland scotch, double distilled and part of Wolfburn’s core range offerings. The mash is made from non-GMO UK-sourced malt, using a single strain yeast. Their use of copper pot stills is a key feature which contributes to the quality of the finished product.
The whisky is aged near sea level in both ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and then blended together when matured to ensure consistency. It is a non-chill filtered product with no additives and is non-peated.
In my Glencairn glass, Aurora is a light golden color, brilliant and bright. While the tendency might be to wonder what sort of character such a lighter colored spirit may offer, be advised that the color here is deceiving. Just because it’s not “brown” isn’t a corollary to the complexity of this expression. Aurora has much to offer!
Wolfburn Aurora Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46% (92 proof)
Not Age Stated
MSRP: $58.00 USD (70cl)
Nosing 80/100
Initial sweet notes are picked up. I will guess that the source of that is mostly from the sherry casks. Then some fresh-cut greens or grassy notes, followed by a bit of rich, dark fruit and perhaps currants. There is a slight wisp of mocha, perhaps.
Palate 84/100
Bright and fruity. Plenty of vibrant floral notes followed by rich vanilla bean and some baking spices. Sweet notes, easy and smooth; no bitterness or bite whatsoever. Almost like drinking a hard candy. There is complexity here but you will have to pay attention and not get lost in the experience.
Finish 85/100
The finish feels both delicate and deliberate. Aurora stays long enough to pick up on that sherry and enjoy it.
The versatility of Aurora makes it the kind of scotch that would certainly fit the role of a go-to spirit and is capable of meeting the expectations of the neat drinker as well as for those wishing to mix it in a cocktail.
Overall Score: 83/100
For more information: http://wolfburn.com/
