Wolfburn Aurora

An exceptional Single Malt from the northernmost tip of Scotland.

Thurso is the northernmost town on the British mainland. The first Wolfburn Distillery was born on the site in the early 1800s. But by 1872, product had ceased. In 2011, Single Malt industry veterans Shane Fraser and Iain Kerr plotted a course to revive the namesake and signature far northern spirit. They broke ground in May of 2012 and had the first completed buildings by September, with production starting the following year. They quickly reached full production the following year and have not looked back — developing a range of six specialty Single Malts and periodic small batch releases.

Wolfburn Aurora is a story told in wood. Specifically, it is the marrying of pure Wolfburn Single Malt from three different cask types. First released in 2016, 40% of the Spirit is aged in second-fill quarter-casks, 40% is aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels, and 20% is aged in first-fill Oloroso Sherry hogshead casks. The quarter casks age faster and therefore deliver an almost Cognac-like flavor. The ex-Bourbon barrels provide their signature caramel/vanilla notes. And the Oloroso casks deliver their magical rancio complexity. All in all this is a truly outstanding dram, even being awarded 92 points at the Concours International.

Smartass Corner: 
The location of the Wolfburn Distillery — Thurso, overlooking the Pentland Firth — is situated in the ancient county of Caithness and was ruled by the Vikings for centuries.